Where do Abandoned Babies Go?

Madas — Mon, 05 May 2008 16:26:05 +0000

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.”

House of Curiosity... » Abandoned children

Where do Abandoned Babies Go?