Lawmaker says "Safe Haven" bill may increase pregnancies, unwanted babies

Iowa lawmaker is worried by the bill that would let mothers drop off their unwanted newborn babies in a health care facility and not face prosecution. The bill’s a response to the recent death of a baby who cops say was born to a teenager but strangled, then abandoned. Senator Ken Veenstra, a republican from Orange City, says it’s a sad chapter in the evolution of our society. Veenstra says it’s “disturbing” a safe haven law is necessary. Veenstra believes once “safe havens” are established, unmarried teenagers will feel freer to get pregnant, and once they are, they’ll be more likely to conceal the pregnancy and dump the baby. Veenstra, however, voted for the bill when it cleared a Senate committee yesterday and plans to support the bill when it’s debated in the full Senate next week.