["Baby cradle coop slots" for abandoned (anonymous) babies: legal problems]

Zentralbl Gynakol. 2006 Apr;128(2):47-52. doi: 10.1055/s-2006-933396.
[Article in German]

Abstract

It is illegal to propagate or offer anonymous births or to "cradle" abandoned babies in anonymous coop slots ("Babyklappen" in German). Such offers must be rescinded. Offers concerning anonymity of births are ill-suited, since they do not save life. They are unnecessary, because women and children can be assisted even if they are in dire straits, by utilising available help as offered by statutory German child and adolescent aid institutions. Those illegal offers do not solve any problems but create new difficulties and result in lifelong misery for children and parents. Offers for anonymousness create a previously non-existent demand and discredit legal help facilities. Persons assisting anonymous deliveries or recovering "baby cradle" ("Babyklappen") children are obliged to report this to the local registrar's office (in hospitals by the hospital director). Anonymous babies must be immediately reported by hospitals or institutions to local police authorities, and they should be reported to the municipal Youth Office.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adoption / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Child
  • Child Welfare / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Child, Abandoned / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Female
  • Germany
  • Human Rights / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infanticide / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Infanticide / prevention & control
  • Mandatory Reporting*
  • Pregnancy
  • Privacy / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Social Work / legislation & jurisprudence