By: Las Vegas Now Staff
Police are now waiting for autopsy results to determine whether a baby was born alive before it was found dead in the trash at the Excalibur. Investigators want to know who would abandon a newborn, alive or dead.
The infant boy was found on Mother's Day, wrapped in a hotel gift bag and pillowcase in a women's bathroom near the casino. Police are checking surveillance and records, but say they need a break, either from the mother or a tip from someone at the Excalibur on Sunday.
Cases like this can be prevented. A law in Nevada, called the Safe Haven Law, allows parents to legally abandon a baby. Places like police stations are known as safe havens, one of many drop-off locations across the valley.
There is a long history unfortunately of abandonment of babies in Clark County. Stephanie Vogel is with the Junior League of Las Vegas. Her group was a part of the push in 2001 to get the Safe Haven Law passed.
“This is a way to protect these children and an opportunity for parents who are not in a position to raise a child, who didn't want anybody to know that they've had a child,” she said.
The purpose of the law is to prevent infant abandonment. Drop off locations are also ready with a kit from the Junior League, “Baby blankets, all the things you need for a newborn. Even the syringes to clear the air passages — because some of the baby's are just left and the people run.”
There are specific guidelines concerning the Safe Haven Law. The baby must be no more than 30-days-old and the parents are not planning on returning to the child once he or she is left.
Other places, like hospitals and fire stations are also Safe Havens. Scott Allison with the Clark County Fire Department says they try to ask some important questions concerning the baby's safety.
“We're going to try and talk to that mother and try and get as much information as we can that would possibly help us treat that child when they are passed over to us,” he said.
Since the Safe Haven Law has been in place, two children have been left at designated sites here in Clark County. Those children are now in adoptive homes.
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