A Nebraska safe-haven law that was amended this summer has led to unexpected results.  The state’s safe-haven law, which originally allowed infants to be left by their parent or guardian at any hospital without fear of legal retribution was amended this summer to include all children, not just infants.

The result?  This week Nebraskan father Gary Staton left nine of his ten children at a Nebraska hospital because he felt he could no longer care for them.  The 10th child, an eighteen year old female, was not dropped off.

The children ranged in age from 20 months to 17 years and were left at Creighton University Medical Center’s emergency room.

Staton told Nebraska TV news station KETV that he hoped his children know that he loves them and hopes that they will have a better future without him around.

Staton lost his wife during the birth of their last child and had struggled to care for the family of ten without her.  He related to reporters that he had to quit his job to care for the large family but had been unable to keep up with rent and utility bills as a result.

Discussing the loss of his wife Staton stated, “I was with her for 17 years, and then she was gone. What was I going to do? We raised them together. I didn’t think I could do it alone. I fell apart. I couldn’t take care of them.”

Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman who signed the law says changes are needed.  And state Senator Arnie Stuthman said, “People are leaving them off just because they can’t control them.  They’re probably in no real danger, so it’s an easy way out for the caretaker.”

Since the law went into effect, 16 children have reportedly been left at Nebraska hospitals.  Nebraska’s state senate does not reconvene until January.

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