8th baby surrendered in SC for 2023, a new 1-year record since Daniel’s Law began. What to know

A 5-pound, 6-ounce biracial baby boy was given up for adoption Nov. 9 at Piedmont Medical Center in Rock Hill, the South Carolina Department of Social Services reported Wednesday.

He was born Oct 4 and was returned to the hospital a month later, Connelly-Anne Ragley, communications director for DSS, said.

His was the eighth surrender of the year, surpassing all previous years.

In South Carolina, Daniel’s Law, the Safe Haven for Abandoned Babies Act, allows for parents to anonymously surrender infants up to 60 days old to designated locations such as hospitals and fire stations.

The baby was placed in a licensed foster home and a permanency planning hearing was scheduled for 3:15 p.m. Dec. 18 at the York County Family Court Center, 1555 West Main Street, Rock Hill.

Last year, seven babies were surrendered, the most since South Carolina Department of Social Services began reporting the numbers in 2009.

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, 60 babies have been surrendered since the act was passed. Six babies were surrendered in 2016 and 2019.

This story was originally published November 16, 2023 at 6:00 AM.