A newborn baby girl was safely surrendered at a hospital in Summerville, South Carolina, under the protection of Daniel’s Law.
The announcement was made by the South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS) earlier this week, confirming that the child is now in the care of the state.
Daniel’s Law allows a person to safely leave an infant, up to 60 days old, at a hospital, fire station, or emergency medical services provider without facing criminal charges.
This law is designed to protect infants from being abandoned in unsafe places and to give parents a legal and safe option when they feel unable to care for the child.
The baby girl surrendered in Summerville is the fourth infant to be safely surrendered under Daniel’s Law in South Carolina in 2024. In the previous year, five infants were surrendered across the state under the same law.
Officials confirmed that the child was handed over in a healthy condition and is currently being looked after by the Department of Social Services. The agency will work to find a permanent and loving home for the baby through the legal system.
Daniel’s Law is named after Daniel Kelsie, an infant who survived after being buried alive shortly after birth in the 1990s. His survival led to increased awareness and the eventual passing of the law in South Carolina, aimed at preventing such tragedies from happening again.
The SCDSS reminded the public that Daniel’s Law offers full legal protection to any parent or guardian who chooses to surrender a baby in this safe and lawful manner.
The identity of the person surrendering the infant is kept confidential, and no questions are asked as long as the child is unharmed and handed over to the right place within the time frame allowed by the law.
If someone needs more information about how to surrender a child safely or has questions about Daniel’s Law, they can contact the South Carolina Department of Social Services or visit their official website for details.
This recent case in Summerville serves as a reminder that there are safe, legal options for parents in crisis — and that the state has systems in place to protect both the child and the person making this difficult decision.