Second baby surrendered in L.A. County in just over a week

A baby girl was safely surrendered Monday at a Tarzana hospital, the second infant turned over to authorities in Los Angeles County in just more than a week.

The baby was turned over to hospital staff within 72 hours of her mother giving birth and was placed in protective custody, where she will stay until the L.A. County Department of Children and Family Services approves an adopting family.

On May 26, a newborn girl was left at a Lancaster fire station.

“Now these two baby girls have the chance to grow up and be part of a loving family,” L.A. County Supervisor Don Knabe said in a statement. “When we consider the alternative to what could have happened to these girls, we are thankful these mothers, who found themselves in a desperate situation, made the right decision for their babies.”

In Los Angeles County, five babies have been surrendered so far this year, and two babies were abandoned, the supervisor’s spokesman Andrew Veis said.

The Safe Surrender program, which Knabe initiated with the Board of Supervisors 13 years ago, allows anyone to turn over a baby, up to three days old, at a hospital or fire station.

Authorities have taken in 118 babies since the program began.

Last year, nine babies were surrendered. In 2007, 15 babies were surrendered, and three deceased infants were found abandoned.