THESE PRECIOUS ones are deemed to be abandoned when they are left at the side of the road, at a hospital, or other public place. Or, if they are left at home without proper supervision.
Most recently, in the Red Hills road area of Kingston, a newborn was found in the open, wrapped in a plastic bag, left there by its mother.
The primary reason women abandon their offspring is linked to psychological distress, says senior social worker in the Kingston Family Court, Calvin Matthews.
"It depends on what is happening in the relationship. Men may not be giving the level of financial support required. Also, the woman may be living with relatives who tell them they have to leave. Some women will leave the child because they can't cope on their own, Mr. Matthews told Outlook. The senior social worker suggests that there are two categories of women who abandon their children.
"There are those who abandon with the view that somebody will see them and take care of them. Then there are others who abandon them for them to die. These are those who leave them out in the open, on lawns, and in garbage bins.
Child neglect
In September 2003, three children were abandoned in Kingston and St. Andrew.
Writer Justin D. Long said "the abandonment of children is an extreme form of child neglect stemming from many causes. Some include family breakdown, irresponsible fatherhood, premature motherhood, illegitimate birth, or the death of both parents."
The problem of abandoned children is not new. In the 19th century, says Long, 'ragamuffins' were a familiar part of London's urban scene, and Parisian parents abandoned their children at the rate of 20 per cent of the live births in the city.
In the modern world, more than 60 million children and infants have been abandoned by their families and live on their own or in orphanages. In Jamaica the problem is also centuries old, although, the last years of the century indicated a decline in the figures for child abandonment.
In 1995, 76 boys and 52 girls were reported abandoned. In 1996 this decreased to 50 boys and 42 girls. In 1997, there was a further reduction with 49 boys and 34 girls, while in 1998, 24 boys and 26 girls were reported abandoned. Last year a total of 24 boys and 22 girls were abandoned. And up to September of this year, 28 boys and 17 girls were abandoned.
Figures
Outlook was not able to obtain more recent figures, but according to the Family Court, the number of children who are abandoned remains constant at two and three each month.
Calvin Matthews said that some mothers who have abandoned their children return feeling very repentant and sorry about what they have done, explaining that they were driven to do it by the psychological pressures they were under.
However, many never return.
Mr. Mathews advises members of the public who discover abandoned children to first seek medical attention for them or make contact with the police. In all cases contact must be made with the law enforcement authorities.
The Children Services Division often publicises the find, placing the photo of the child where it can be seen by as many people as possible. According to the senior social worker, there may be members of the community and even relatives who may be willing to look after the abandoned child.
Efforts are made to find the mother, not only for purposes of prosecution (child abandonment is a criminal act) but also because "We want to know that children in our care have some family connection," Mr. Matthews said.
-O.T.
