STAR-ADVERTISER / NOV. 8
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State Rep. John Mizuno says information about Hawaii’s Baby Safe Haven law should be more readily available to visitors after a woman was arrested in a murder investigation involving a newborn in a Waikiki hotel.
Mizuno (D, Kamehameha Heights-Kalihi Valley-Lower Kalihi) said Friday he was concerned there is not enough awareness of a law that provides immunity from prosecution if an unharmed child is dropped off at a hospital, police station or fire station within 72 hours after birth.
"Perhaps the state must provide greater awareness and education to our international tourists, mothers, fathers, families, pregnant girls and women that a Baby Safe Haven law exists in Hawaii and that they have a safe place to turn to before making a life-threatening decision," Mizuno said in a statement.
Police responded to a report of a dead newborn at about 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, according to Emergency Medical Services and police. Officers arrested a 32-year-old female visitor at about 11:45 p.m.
Jessica Rich, president of the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii, which assists tourists who have been victims of crimes, said the organization sent a Korean-speaking volunteer to help family members.
The case remains under investigation. An autopsy on the newborn was pending.
"Our people as well as the international visitors to Hawaii need to know that we have a vehicle for the safe relinquishment of unwanted newborns. Today we contemplate the death of a newborn baby, which may have been averted with education and awareness of our baby safe haven law in Hawaii," Mizuno said.
Mizuno authored the Baby Safe Haven Bill in the Legislature in 2007.