The South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) has announced a Permanency Planning Hearing and Termination of Parental Rights Hearing after a newborn was legally surrendered at Prisma Health Richland on Wednesday.
DSS confirms the infant girl was accepted by hospital staff under Daniel’s Law, the state’s Safe Haven for Abandoned Babies Act. The child, who weighed two pounds and 2.4 ounces at birth, is now in the custody of Lexington County DSS based on her mother residing in the county.
The Permanency Planning Hearing and Termination of Parental Rights Hearing is scheduled for March 18 at 3 p.m. at the Lexington County Family Court, 205 East Main St., Lexington. Persons who believe they have parental rights to the child are required to attend the hearing to assert those rights.
Daniel's Law applies to infants up to 60 days old. Guidelines state that a person who abandons a newborn cannot be prosecuted for abandonment if the baby is given to staff or an employee of a Safe Haven as defined in state law; however, immunity from prosecution may not apply if the child is harmed. Examples of Safe Havens include hospitals, law enforcement agencies, EMS and fire stations, and houses of worship.
This is the first newborn to be taken in under Daniel's Law this year. Last year, eight babies were surrendered safely.