That's very sad, but I'm guessing the parent/parents just couldn't cope, I guess in this circumstance they did the right thing rather than injuring or killing this little baby.
I must say though, that it's very unusual for a baby this age to be abandoned, normally it would be a newborn baby.Due to the age of the baby, I would imagine that it would be easier to track down the parents.
I hope they can as I think there are some parents that need some help with their life issues. I am glad they did leave the baby in a safe place but why did they just not take it in for adoption? Perhaps too embarrassed at admitting they could not cope. I hope they are found and given help.
It is always sad to see a baby given up because the parent(s) could not care for it. But like Diane said I would much rather they place the child with those who could care for it or find the child a good home rather than abusing or even killing the child.
It is so sad that these parents seem to have had no other options, no supportive grandparents or other family that could help them through a difficult situation. At least, the parents finally realized that they could not care for the baby properly and took the baby somewhere they felt was safe. I feel that was a much better alternative than becoming too frustrated and taking the baby's life. It the United States, there are Safe Haven laws where someone can take a baby less than 7 days old to a hospital or police station and suffer no consequences. There are some flaws in this legislation, but there are good intentions. In Japan, a hospital has a stork cradle where you place a baby in a type of drop box and a bell rings to let workers know that there is a baby inside.
I don't know that any of these are answers to a bigger societal problem of teenage pregnancy and parents not wanting to take responsibility for caring for their children. However, something must be done to protect these innocent, young babies whom I know many people who are unable to have children would adopt in a heartbeat. Source 1Source 2
There is a lot of people in this world who would love to raise a little one and cannot. I think that is one of the reasons many states and some countries have the safe haven laws. IT is always better to be able to give a child up to someone who can raise them better than to abuse them and possible damage them for life.
I agree we need to have ways to let parents who know they can not manage find a safe place for their baby. I am sure it would help all involved.
My only hope is that some sort of inclusion for the biological father be included such that if the mother is unable the father would be allowed the option of taking his child. Though in many of these cases I am betting the father might not even know he is one and often not caring if they do know.
In many instances it is the father applying the pressure to relinquish the child. I agree that if a mother discovers she cannot cope being a single (or otherwise) parent the father should be notified if at all possible and given the opportunity to come forward and make claim.
Giving up a child is one of the most difficult things a parent can do. It is also one of the most loving, selfless things a parent can do. It certainly is better than caring for a child with inadequate emotional and financial means.
I can't tell you how many cases of abused and neglected children I have worked with where one or both parents showed obvious disregard for their children's welfare but refused to relinquish because this was the "fruit of their loins."