Newborn boy given up for adoption at Upstate hospital is in SC foster care

A mother gave her newborn baby up for adoption to a Greenwood hospital Sunday, the South Carolina Department of Social Services reported.

He was born Friday, weighing 6 pounds, 3 ounces, and measured 19 inches long, DSS said.

Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood took the baby under the auspices of South Carolina’s Daniel’s Law, the Safe Haven for Abandoned Babies Act.

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.

The infant surrendered Sunday is the second so far this year to be given up for adoption. Since the law was passed, 51 babies have been surrendered.

The infant surrendered Sunday will be placed in a licensed foster home.

A permanency planning hearing will be held at 2 p.m. May 23 at the Greenwood County Courthouse

The hearing will establish a plan for the child going forward. DSS has 48 hours after gaining custody of a child to file a report saying that termination of a parent’s rights is in the best interest of the child.

Anyone interested in trying to adopt the child, if not already a licensed foster parent in South Carolina, must apply through Heartfelt Calling, DSS said.