WILDER — A program designed to prevent the abandonment of newborns in Northern Kentucky is set to begin July 10.

        The Secret Safe Place for Newborns will be announced during a press conference at the World Peace Bell in Newport.

        “This effort may produce only one baby that may be saved, but I think it's worth it,” said Kentucky House Majority Caucus Chairman Jim Callahan, D-Wilder, who helped organize the program.

        Legislation introduced this year in the General Assembly would have required the program. After the bill failed, Mr. Callahan worked to begin the program in Northern Kentucky.

        Mr. Callahan said he plans to introduce legislation in the 2002 General Assembly session to require the program statewide.

        The program, patterned after one in Hamilton County, is designed to prevent parents, particularly teen-agers, from abandoning or killing newborns.

        Parents will be able to anonymously hand over unharmed newborns to hospitals within 72 hours of birth and not be prosecuted. St. Luke and St. Elizabeth have agreed to participate, as has the United Way.

        The hospitals would care for the babies while social workers found foster homes.

        Ultimately, the babies would be adopted.

        Officials said the abandonment of newborns does not appear to be an extensive problem in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

Downtown gateways say welcome
41 shootings in 10 weeks
Balance sought in patients rights bill
Internet scrapbook will tell Ohio's history with pictures
Teachers catch up in tech training
Faculty, UC set to negotiate
Warren County rejects parenting funds
1 killed, 4 hurt in crash on I-275
July 4th closings
N.Ky. starts safe baby program
Officer accused of striking stepson
City awaits builder's next move
County holds shaken-baby forum
Shuttlesworth demands union for Bigg's employees
Ukraine gets tip on grain
You Asked For It
Boone official settles into job
Car accident sends children to hospital
Christian school is multiplying
Congrats
Ky. Education Notes
Local Digest
Ohio Supreme Court will ax programs to relieve budget
Train hits car, leaving 5 dead
4-year-old saves brother
Fewer pass Ind. graduation exam
Uneven growth could harm corn harvest