To the editor:

The Journal-World editorial of Sept. 11 reported on the Kansas Newborn Infant Protection Act, which allows a child up to the age of 45 days to be surrendered at a fire station, health department or medical facility. Attorney General Stephen Six summarized certain risk factors where a mother might kill her child after birth. Those include when the child is unplanned and the mother is alone and with no familial support system. Providing another option would hopefully diminish the likelihood of these babies being killed.

The editorial continues, “The first line of defense is to try to provide the kind of support and services that a pregnant woman needs to cope with preparing to raise a child or give it up for adoption.”

If the greatest need for the new family is one of resources (and with today’s economy it’s not hard to imagine that possibility), there are places where items for her baby can be obtained, just for the asking. Items for after-birth care are available at Birthright and Pregnancy Care Center of Lawrence. Help (and a hug) are only a phone call or visit away.