SC just hit its annual record for most infants surrendered under Daniel’s law with 3 in one week

Three babies were given up for adoption in South Carolina under the Safe Haven for Abandoned Babies Act recently, bringing the total for the year so far to match the most in any previous year.

Three babies were surrendered from Aug. 28-Sept. 6, an unusually high number in a short period of time, bringing the total to date at seven.

The most recent was a Black girl, who was born Sept. 5 at McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence. She weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce and was 20.75 inches long.

Marion County DSS took custody of the baby and placed her in a licensed foster home.

In a news release, DSS said anyone asserting parental rights must do so at the Permanency Planning Hearing 11 a.m. Oct. 25 at the Mary E. Buchan Marion County Family Court Center, 2515 US-76, Marion.

Also surrendered was a biracial boy who was born Sept. 2 at Summerville Medical Center. He weighed 8 pounds and was 19.2 inches long.

Dorchester County DSS took custody of him to place him in a licensed foster home.

DSS said anyone asserting parental rights must do so at the Permanency Planning Hearing, scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Dorchester County Family Court, 212 Deming Way, Summerville.

A white boy, born Aug. 27, was surrendered at Moncks Corner Fire Department the next day. He weighed 7 pounds and was 19.5 inches long when he was surrendered.

Berkeley County DSS took custody and placed him in a licensed foster home.

The Permanency Planning Hearing will be held at 10 a.m. Oct. 24 at the Berkeley County Family Court, 300 B California Ave., Moncks Corner. Anyone wishing to assert parental rights must do so then.

The seven babies placed for adoption this year equals the number from 2022.

The most in one year previously was six in 2016 and 2019.

Daniel’s Law, the Safe Haven for Abandoned Babies Act, was named for an infant who survived being buried in a landfill in Allendale County. Nurses named him Daniel.

Children younger than 60 days can be surrendered in certain places such as hospitals or fire departments and no action is taken against the parents as long as the child is not injured.

Since the law was passed, 63 children have been surrendered.

A 2001 story in The State reported that Daniel’s mother did not tell her parents she was pregnant, never sought prenatal care and gave birth in the bathroom of her Allendale County home. She buried him in the old city dump nearby.

The child was found after she sought care in a local hospital.

“He was covered with a lime substance and fire ants and he was screaming his head off. Rescue workers could make out ant bites on his chest, face and the web between his fingers. But the rest of his body was caked with the lime,” the story said.

One rescue worker was quoted as saying, “That baby was just not meant to die. It’s an unbelievable story that this child lived through all that. God has a plan for his life.”

This story was originally published September 8, 2023 at 2:19 PM.