By Perry Schaible
Enquirer contributor

HAMILTON - A juvenile court judge took action Thursday in the case of a newborn boy left at the Middletown Regional Hospital by his mother over the weekend.

The judge granted temporary custody of the baby to Butler County Children Services.

Ronald James, ombudsman for Children Services, said the next step is to develop a case plan for the boy, which includes "figuring out what's in the best interest of the child."

The baby was left at the hospital eight hours after its birth Sunday, Middletown police officials said.

Maj. Mike Bruck said the child's mother allegedly told hospital staff she lost custody of her other children and wouldn't be able to keep custody of the baby and then left the hospital. Staff then called police.

Bruck said police officials believe the incident falls under the state's "Secret, Safe Place for Newborns" program passed into law in 2001.

The program allows mothers to turn their unharmed newborn over to a hospital, law enforcement officer, or emergency technician up to three days after birth, anonymously and without prosecution. State officials said at least 20 children have been turned over in Ohio under that law. "There are no criminal issues and we're in agreement, at least at this point, with Children Services on that," Bruck said.

What makes this case unusual is that the mother's identity is known, and she therefore received notice that a civil complaint was filed.

Children Services is required by state law to file a civil complaint to request temporary custody in "Safe Haven" cases. The agency cannot provide services for the child until custody is granted.

James said in a "pure" Safe Haven case, parents are not contacted because the baby was left anonymously.