4th newborn surrendered under SC safe haven law this year, 1 away from total for all of 2021

A newborn baby girl was surrendered to an Upstate hospital last week, the fourth baby given up in South Carolina under a safe haven act this year.

Five babies were surrendered in all of 2021, according to the South Carolina Department of Social Services.

DSS described the baby as white, born on July 7, 7 pounds, 9.7 ounces and 20 inches long. She has been placed in a licensed foster home.

The baby was surrendered Thursday at Greer Memorial Hospital in Spartanburg County.

Daniel’s Law, the state’s Safe Haven for Abandoned Babies Act, designates DSS as the agency that takes custody of babies in this circumstance.

The act was enacted in 2001 and named for an infant who survived being buried in a landfill in Allendale County. Nurses named him Daniel as he recovered at a hospital.

In all, 53 babies have been surrendered since the act was passed. The most in one year was six in 2016 and 2019.

Under the law, babies up to 60 days old can be taken to specific places such as hospitals or fire departments.

A permanency planning hearing will be held at 2 p.m. Aug. 29 at the Spartanburg County Courthouse.