Infant Abandonment in Georgia: An Important Law You Need to Know

The newborn “Baby India” was found tied in a plastic bag and abandoned on June 6 in Forsyth county.

Baby India is now thriving under the care of the state and has many people eager to adopt her, but her discovery raises the question: who abandoned Baby India and why?

Baby India’s case illustrates the difficult predicament many parents and expectant mothers find themselves in when they have an unwanted pregnancy. When the mother (or both parents) feel that they cannot raise a child due to social or economic pressures, they may believe that they have no other option than to abandon the infant soon after birth.

Georgia law is tough on child abandonment. Guilty parties can spend a year in prison or pay a fine of $1,000. Child abandonment is a misdemeanor in Georgia, but it can turn into a federal crime if the guilty party leaves the state after abandoning a child.

There is a provision that all expectant parents should know about, however. Georgia has a Safe Haven Law that allows parents to surrender newborn infants up to a week old to qualified medical staff. A new mother who is unwilling or unable, for whatever reason, to raise her newborn infant can anonymously and safely leave the baby with healthcare workers, no questions asked. This provision protects parents from being charged with child abandonment and protects newborn babies from harm.

An unwanted pregnancy presents a complex dilemma. But thanks to the Safe Haven Law, you don’t have to become guilty of the crime of abandonment.

If you are currently facing charges of infant abandonment or other allegations of domestic violence, then call Atlanta Criminal Defense Attorney Jeff Manciagli, for a free confidential consultation.