Angel's Cradle: St. Paul's Hospital provides way for mothers to drop off babies anonymously

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - St. Paul's Hospital has identified a most unfortunate 'need' in the community.  The hospital has started a program called "Angels Cradle"--where new moms who can't take care of their baby can drop it off at the hospital--anonymously.

Dr. Geoffrey Kundiss, head of Obstetrics and Gynecology at St. Paul's, says it's a sad reality, but some women are in such dire straights they can't care for their baby, and don't want to go through the formal process of giving up their child.  

Dr. Kundiss says this was created in response to several abandoned children cases over the last few years..including one where a newborn baby was left on the doorstep of the hospital.  He says the new procedure will be much more dignified. "Just outside the main entrance to the Emergency Department there's a private location, where there's a door, that opens to a bassinet."  

After 30 seconds an alarm rings in the hospital, the baby is picked up, given medical attention, and the Ministry of Children and Families is called.