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Thirty-one year old Erin Pendelton was sentenced to 40 years in prison today, for the July 2004 killing of her newborn baby.  Pendelton was at a bar drinking with her friends.  She went into the bathroom, had the baby, threw it into the trash can and went back out as if nothing had happened. 

After her arrest, she was found to be mentally ill, and incompetent to aid in her own defense..  She was placed in an institution for almost 2 years.  Last month, she was released and tried and pleaded guilty.

Pendleton’s story was the most egregious of the 3 cases of infant abandonment that occurred in early July 2004.  After hearing these stories, Colorado Safe haven for Newborns was formed to carry out our vision to protect desparate parents, unmanted newborns, and the community from the tragedy of an abandoned baby through awareness of the Colorado Safe Haven Law. 

THE BABY CAME!!! WHAT DO I DO NOW??

First of all, don't let it come to this. It is extremely dangerous to have a baby all by yourself, or even with the help of someone who is not trained to deliver a baby. If at all possible, seek professional help at a hospital, or fire station. Yes, paramedics at all fire stations are trained to deliver babies. Fire fighters and hospital employees are wonderful people. They are not judgmental, and want to help you.

But if you are sitting there looking at the baby, first, don't try to drive anywhere just yet. You and the baby could both die.

  1. Make sure the baby is breathing. Crying is a good sign the baby is OK. If not, clean out the baby's mouth and airway with your finger. Then give mouth to mouth.
  2. Now, take 2 strips of cloth, or strips torn from a t-shirt or 2 pieces of string, and tie the umbilical cord in 2 places, one about 6 inches from you, and one about 12 inches from the baby.
  3. Now it is safe to cut the umbilical, between the 2 pieces of cloth. The cloth ties will prevent blood from draining from you and the baby. After cutting, make sure the cloth ties are working, and you and the baby are not loosing blood from the umbilical cord.
  4. You now have a baby. What you do with it could determine how you will spend the rest of your life.

  1. Keep the baby — Call a friend or relative to help you clean up. Both you and the baby could probably use it. The baby won't be hungry for a couple hours. You should go to a hospital so that both you and the baby can be checked out, but that is up to you. Keep the baby warm, especially its head.
  2. Throw the baby away — The baby will probably die. You will be caught and after a year in jail, you will be tried and sent to prison for 16 to 24 years.
  3. Turn the baby in — Take the baby to a hospital or fire station within 3 days, and hand it to an employee. Say; "I want to turn in this baby under the Colorado safe Haven law." Then walk away. Don't give your name, even if they ask. You may want to fill out a medical questionnaire they give you at a hospital. It could be helpful to the baby when it grows up. You are free to continue with your life.

Good Luck!!

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