History & Author’s Comments
Statistical data from the FBI and National Center for Missing &
Exploited Children show that there have been 248 infant abductions since 1983
by non-family as well as family members.
Close to one half of all abductions have been from acute care facilities
with the majority of these [57%] occurring directly from the mother’s
room. The remaining infant abductions have
taken place from the mother’s home and other locations of opportunity. The abduction of Jason McClure from his
mother’s room at High Point Regional Health System on Father’s Day, October
1988 became the catalyst for hospitals nationwide to implement stringent infant
security practices. The High Point experience provided
SAI with the understanding and knowledge to develop preventive measures to help
hospitals prevent future abductions. Over
the ensuing two decades, SAI has had the opportunity to assist over 600
hospitals and birthing centers throughout the U.S. and overseas in formulating
preventive measures to protect their most precious patients from such an
insidious crime.
The
modus operandi of the perpetrator shows that the majority of babies abducted
from hospitals are taken by women from the mother’s room. The new mother willingly gives her baby to
the abductor, who convincingly pretends to be a caregiver. By default the mother is the first line of
defense against a would-be abductor. As
a result, it becomes essential for hospitals to provide parental education to
new moms and their family members during their hospital stay.
In a little over a decade hospital infant
abductions went from a record high of eighteen a year to no hospital abductions
at all in 1999. Nationally distributed
educational awareness programs sponsored by the Association of Women’s Health,
Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) and the International Association of
Healthcare Security & Safety (IAHSS) played a major role reducing hospital
abductions. The National Center for Missing &
Exploited Children in Arlington, VA also played a
prominent role in the decrease in hospital abductions through their educational
and training program, “Safeguarding Their Tomorrows,” sponsored by Mead
Johnson’s Nutritional Division.
Even though infants continue to be abducted
from hospitals, it has become more difficult for the kidnapper to succeed. Pressure continues to be placed on hospitals to
install state-of-the-art infant electronic security systems as well as increase
their awareness training both for staff and new moms. This increase in maternity unit security has
caused the crime to be displaced to the mother’s home and other locations. Particularly alarming is the fact that there is
a 30% chance the mother and her family will be exposed to violence or even homicide
during a home abduction. Because hospitals are aware of this risk to
mothers and babies, there is a responsibility on the hospital’s part to extend
awareness education to help protect the mother and baby after they leave the
hospital. Educating the mother and
family members on security steps they should take after discharge will help
better protect them from home abduction and protect the hospital from potential
litigation.
Purpose:
Preventing Infant
Abductions: “How Parents Can Help”© is designed to provide a single
document to help hospitals comply with the new EC.2.10 Infant Security Standard
published by the Joint Commission. A
tear-out sheet signed by the mother becomes part of her hospital record verifying
the receipt of this important information.
Parental
Education: Vital for new mothers during their hospital stay & after they go
home
Why is it so important to educate new mothers on their role in the
protection of their babies during their hospital stay, as well as educating
them before they go home? It’s sad but
true. There are people who want a baby
so badly they will stop at nothing to get one.
As a result and despite heightened awareness, babies continue to be
kidnapped from hospitals. Surprisingly,
we find that most babies are taken from the mother’s room. Over the past decade hospitals have taken
bold steps to tightened security in their maternity wards and pediatric units,
causing infants abducted from the home to significantly increase. Infant Security Experts agree that an
informed mother is the baby’s first line of defense while in the hospital as
well as after returning home. It is
essential that hospitals educate new mothers on the psychological profile and
modus operandi (MO) of a typical abductor.
Educational material provided in written form and signed by the mother
certifies not only that the mother has received the appropriate material, but
also that she understands the material, and her responsibility to participate
in the protection of her child during her hospital stay and to continue that
protection after mother and baby return home.
Even though it is unlikely your hospital will experience an infant
abduction, the information you provide your mothers and their families will
benefit and protect them and the hospital for many years to come.
Pamphlet Topics Include:
- The psychological profile of the abductor
- The Modus Operandi (MO) of the abductor
- Never to leave her baby alone at any time
- How the hospital will keep your baby safe
- Hospital security routines
- Hospital I.D. Procedures
- The correct way to transport a baby in the hospital
- How to protect personal information
- How to provide protection after mother and baby leave the hospital
- Procedures for home visit (If applicable)
- Risk of Birth Announcements
- Risk of Outside Decorations
- Sharing Information with Loved-ones and family members
Instructions to the Mother
Include:
- Be suspicious of casual acquaintances or strangers that attempt to
befriend you
- Learn hospital procedures for care after discharge
- Demand positive I.D. before allowing persons in your home that
seem official
- Be aware of strangers that come to your door to see your baby
- Under no circumstances should you give you baby to a stranger
- Do not allow casual acquaintances or strangers to baby-sit your
baby
- Never leave you baby alone at home
- Do not place birth announcements in the newspaper
- Do not give out information about you and your baby over the phone
or to strangers
- Educate family members and friends that baby-sit your baby on
infant security
- Call police anytime you are suspicious or concerned about your
baby’s safety
As new parents begin their birthing experience, it is important for
hospitals to warn them about the remote threat of an infant abduction during
their hospital stay, as well as after they leave the hospital to start their
new life. Even though it is unlikely
your hospital will experience an infant abduction, the information you provide
mothers and their families will benefit and protect them, as well as protect the
hospital.
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