Where do Abandoned Babies Go?
This article was published at JO Magazine in March 2008. Issue 55
It seems like every week there’s another story about a baby found in a trash bin or drainage ditch somewhere in Jordan.
In 2007, 36 babies were found, according to the most recent statistics from the Directorate of Public security- and there are almost certainly more than aren’t. Since the beginning of 2008, four children have already been found. Sometimes the parents are found, but often they aren’t, leaving their children with no name and no knowledge of their identity. So what happens to them?
Hospital
Immediately after being found, the baby is taken to the closest hospital, where their vital signs are evaluated. “Vital signs include heart beat, breathing rate, temperature, and blood pressure. These signs may be watched, measured, and monitored to check the baby’s level of physical functioning.” explained Dr. Isra’s Tawalbeh, a forensic doctor at Albashir Hospital. They also looks for specific signs to check if the baby was born with the help of a health professional, such as clams or infections on the Umbilical cord, baby bracelets on the arm, or foot prints. “If any of these evidences were found, determining the baby’s identity becomes much easier” she says. The doctor on call prepares a medical report.
Police
…Which goes to a representative of the police, who in turn prepares a detailed report on the circumstances in which this baby was found, including the location, the conditions and specifics of the incident.
Al Hussein Social Institution
For children without parents, there are two possible destinations. A foster home or Al-Hussein Social Institution, in Al-Ashrafiah. But all abandoned children are likely to end up in Al Hussein, at least for a while.
The medical and police reports are delivered to the supervisor of there, along with an official letter from the police. The first task that the supervisor carries out is to give the child a random first name.
Parents
In cases, when the biological parents are found, DNA tests are run to prove the paternity or maternity of the child. In that case the child is given his/her real last names, and when possible these children are returned to their families by a decree from the court.
Fostering Unit- Ministry of Social Development
Al Hussein officials inform the Fostering Unit at the Family and Childhood Directorate of the Ministry of Social Development(MoSD). Sequentially, the Fostering Unit proceeds to creating a file for the baby using the given first name.
Fostering (More Tests)
The Institution’s doctor runs comprehensive medical tests to check if the baby is healthy. These tests include AIDS, Hepatitis C, Hormonal tests and any other test deemed necessary. If the baby is healthy, he/she is registered as a beneficiary of the Ministry’s Fostering Program. “So far, there has never been any case, in which the baby has been seriously unhealthy” said a representative of MoSD.
Final Destination
In a report at Al Rai’s Newspaper, Hana’ Iter head of MoSD’s fostering program, pointed out that Jordanian families generally, don’t prefer to foster disable, ill or darker children. These children end up living in institutions, unless fostered by non-Arab families. “When no appropriate families are found, children stay at the [Al Hussein]Institution till the age of six,” explained and MoSD representative. “After that, girls are moved to Al-Nahda Center, which is an all girls centre, and boys are moved to another all boys centre, such as Dar Al-Hanan or Jam3iet Al yateem or others…”
Civil Status
Once the Ministry locates a possible fostering family, the Civil Status and Passport Department is addressed officially by the Ministry to issue a birth certificate, a family book and a passport. The department also works on choosing a proper name for the child. “Sometimes, they put the foster parents’ first names on the birth certificate. But the last two names are always made up,” explained the MoSD representative.
Religion
All abandonded children are Muslim, according to representatives of the General Ifta’ Department “The baby is deemed Muslim, because he/she was found in an Islamic country, where the majority are Muslims.”
In 2007, 36 babies were found, according to the most recent statistics from the Directorate of Public security- and there are almost certainly more than aren’t. Since the beginning of 2008, four children have already been found. Sometimes the parents are found, but often they aren’t, leaving their children with no name and no knowledge of their identity. So what happens to them?
Hospital
Immediately after being found, the baby is taken to the closest hospital, where their vital signs are evaluated. “Vital signs include heart beat, breathing rate, temperature, and blood pressure. These signs may be watched, measured, and monitored to check the baby’s level of physical functioning.” explained Dr. Isra’s Tawalbeh, a forensic doctor at Albashir Hospital. They also looks for specific signs to check if the baby was born with the help of a health professional, such as clams or infections on the Umbilical cord, baby bracelets on the arm, or foot prints. “If any of these evidences were found, determining the baby’s identity becomes much easier” she says. The doctor on call prepares a medical report.
Police
…Which goes to a representative of the police, who in turn prepares a detailed report on the circumstances in which this baby was found, including the location, the conditions and specifics of the incident.
Al Hussein Social Institution
For children without parents, there are two possible destinations. A foster home or Al-Hussein Social Institution, in Al-Ashrafiah. But all abandoned children are likely to end up in Al Hussein, at least for a while.
The medical and police reports are delivered to the supervisor of there, along with an official letter from the police. The first task that the supervisor carries out is to give the child a random first name.
Parents
In cases, when the biological parents are found, DNA tests are run to prove the paternity or maternity of the child. In that case the child is given his/her real last names, and when possible these children are returned to their families by a decree from the court.
Fostering Unit- Ministry of Social Development
Al Hussein officials inform the Fostering Unit at the Family and Childhood Directorate of the Ministry of Social Development(MoSD). Sequentially, the Fostering Unit proceeds to creating a file for the baby using the given first name.
Fostering (More Tests)
The Institution’s doctor runs comprehensive medical tests to check if the baby is healthy. These tests include AIDS, Hepatitis C, Hormonal tests and any other test deemed necessary. If the baby is healthy, he/she is registered as a beneficiary of the Ministry’s Fostering Program. “So far, there has never been any case, in which the baby has been seriously unhealthy” said a representative of MoSD.
Final Destination
In a report at Al Rai’s Newspaper, Hana’ Iter head of MoSD’s fostering program, pointed out that Jordanian families generally, don’t prefer to foster disable, ill or darker children. These children end up living in institutions, unless fostered by non-Arab families. “When no appropriate families are found, children stay at the [Al Hussein]Institution till the age of six,” explained and MoSD representative. “After that, girls are moved to Al-Nahda Center, which is an all girls centre, and boys are moved to another all boys centre, such as Dar Al-Hanan or Jam3iet Al yateem or others…”
Civil Status
Once the Ministry locates a possible fostering family, the Civil Status and Passport Department is addressed officially by the Ministry to issue a birth certificate, a family book and a passport. The department also works on choosing a proper name for the child. “Sometimes, they put the foster parents’ first names on the birth certificate. But the last two names are always made up,” explained the MoSD representative.
Religion
All abandonded children are Muslim, according to representatives of the General Ifta’ Department “The baby is deemed Muslim, because he/she was found in an Islamic country, where the majority are Muslims.”
I’m against the idea of children being born to unmarried couples. However it would be very hazardous to separate such children from their parents (or his father since the mother will probably be dead by the time the story is uncovered)
Reply
Hey,
Agreed… Ideally, babies should be born within wedlock. However, all these babies are unwanted children, they were not meant to come by their parents. Some of them are the children of rape, others are the children of incest and some are the children of pleasure. Most of these children will never know who their parents are. When their parents are known, the court gives them back to them… have you even heard of administrative marriage? basically it is when parents are ordered to be married by law, in order to give the child a name… they can divorce later… and you are right a lot of women are dead by that time… sad, sah?
Reply
Good morning Madas ,such a nice day for me wish you the same .I read the article and could not restore my bluer moist vision ,only when it finished I calmed .Sad and inhumane to know such practices are the work of fellow man . I have been taken aback by chock over the practices in the article ,as I am with soft feelings for children mine and the world others ,in particular unprivileged children whom I devote some of my time in a volunteer work .Much in my mind for your article but cant reveal, as it well blurre me further .Sadness in a nice day !! well the nice day prevails ,this could be selfish ? but believe me some how I was born with an invisible big bag on my shoulders for such events that I prior turning in I remember and cry ,such are the penalties paid by me for unresolved sad issues .Well Madas this is not a contribution from my side as much as vent to me over one the many world injustices .Forgive me for taking your space and your dear time .Salaaams nadim
Reply
Its hard for me to imagine parents abandoning their child, but I know it happens. Just this evening, there was a news report of a baby found in a trash can somewhere in the U.S. Its really tragic!
I know that in some European countries a baby may be dropped off anonymously at any hospital without any questions asked. The parents are not sought out after the drop off. However, I don’t know what happens to these children.
Is birth control legal in Jordan? How about abortion? I suppose that some people there object to either or both on moral or religious grounds. Its just really sad that a mother would feel the need to abandon her own baby!
Reply
One of my Iraqi friends post an inspirational story written by Queen Rania about a business woman in Baghdad. You might find it interesting. Here is a link:
http://baghdadtreasure.blogspot.com/2008/05/one-of-one-hundred.html
Reply
while preferably all children would be born in wedlock, a lot of the times that is not the case.
if birth control is banned in a country the number of unwanted children goes up,just look at saudi arabia, africa as examples, these countries have thousands of abandoned babies.
in cases of rape and incest is it not better to let the woman come in quietly and get a termination when it’s early enough, in muslim countries women who are pregnant out of wedlock are mostly killed or shamed.
the children are seen as shameful and live unhappy lives.
if termination is not on offer what about international adoption.
something must be done for these unwanted babies of the world i know plenty of couple who are not able to have children who would love to be able to adopt a baby or child in need.
Reply
I am grateful to you for this fantastic content. You truly did make my day :
Reply
i usually stick to natural birth control methods because i am a christian, natural birth control has no side effects too.*;’
Reply
madas Reply:
June 30th, 2010 at 07:30
It does… unwanted pegnancies!
Reply