Timothy Jaccard, a paramedic, was called to the District Court in Hempstead, N.Y., in 1997, to remove the body of a deceased, full-term infant from a toilet. He decided to adopt the infant in order for her to be given a proper burial.
Because of this life changing incident, Jaccard founded a charity called the AMT Children of Hope. The organization buries abandoned, deceased infants and counsels pregnant women in crisis. He has lobbied nationwide for legislation, safe haven laws, to make it possible for women in crisis to place their infants without prosecution.
Many infants that have been abandoned in dumpsters or public restrooms have died from exposure to the elements, starvation or dehydration. Safe haven laws allow for parents to leave the infants at save haven providers, such as hospitals, police stations, or fire stations where the child can be properly and safely cared for.
The first safe haven law or "Baby Moses Law" was enacted in Texas in 1999. Since their creation, safe haven laws have saved numerous lives. As of Fall 2008, all 50 States have enacted Safe Haven Laws, only DC has yet to follow suite.
