Summary

Texas has seen a spike in abandoned newborns since its abortion ban, with some infants found dead in dumpsters or ditches.

Critics link the rise to reduced access to abortion, cuts to prenatal care, underfunded safe haven programs, and fear of deportation among undocumented women.

Texas Republicans have resisted funding awareness campaigns for safe haven laws, instead allocating $165 million to crisis pregnancy centers that prioritize deterring abortion over aiding women.

The lack of support has drawn condemnation, highlighting the broader consequences of restrictive reproductive policies.

  • @littlewonder
    22•4 days ago

    So this is an issue that gets my goat because people react emotionally (which is understandable) but don’t follow on to think about what’s going on that “dumpster babies” are a relatively common phenomenon. If it was one or two people doing this here and there, then I’d accept that it’s a problem with the individuals, but since it happens so frequently, there is a systemic issue at play that needs to take some of the blame.

    Yes, there are baby drop boxes, but what might keep someone from using them? (Edit to clarify based on the replies: other than abortion access, which should be available everywhere to everyone who needs it) Are there other resources that could be made available? Are there medical or social pressures creating barriers to utilizing efforts to decrease infanticide? I don’t think there’s one answer but what I do know is that prison is probably not the answer to preventing more of these deaths.

      • @[email protected]
        3•3 days ago

        And another ~9.98% of the remainder would be solved with proper sex education, and access to free contraception.

    • @WoodScientist
      26•4 days ago

      Yes, there are baby drop boxes, but what might keep someone from using them?

      Here, come use this baby drop box. It’s located conveniently at the local police station, a building festooned with dozens of security cameras…

      • @thesohoriotsEnglish
        7•4 days ago

        Out here it’s fire stations. They got the hoses ready and “Wipeout” cued up on Spotify to buy the cops some time.

    • TheLowestStone
      11•4 days ago

      We know exactly what’s causing the issue: lack of legal abortion.

    • @[email protected]
      1•3 days ago

      There is definitely one answer, and I think you know what it is.

      But beyond abortion, proper sex education (not abstinence-only) and access to free contraception would go a long way.