FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE
June 23, 2004

Contact: Catherine Yuan 617-308-7906

SWISTON SAYS ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, PASS A BABY SAFE HAVEN LAW NOW! NEWBORN ABANDONED ON MARTHA'S VINEYARD

State Representative Candidate Greer Tan Swiston joins advocates Jean and Michael Morrisey of Lexington in calling for the Massachusetts legislature to enact a Baby Safe Haven law that 97% of the US population in 45 states have already adopted.

"If such a law were in place in Massachusetts, Baby Vinnie might have been safely dropped off at a hospital rather than left on the steps of a church." Swiston said, referring to the infant found Tuesday morning on the steps of St. Augustine's Church on Martha's Vineyard. "Clearly whoever left the newborn was desperate."

Baby Vinnie was estimated to be only hours old when he was discovered. He is currently in ICU suffering from hypothermia and shortness of oxygen.

Just days following the 19th Massachusetts community passing the Baby Safe Haven home rule petition, the Commonwealth sees this abandonment. It is the 11th such case in just 4 years. Advocates who have been pushing for passage of a Baby Safe Haven law now blockaded for over four years say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

"This is about giving desperate women options." Swiston says. "It's about giving these babies a chance at life."

Currently the statewide Baby Safe Haven bill, HB 4325, is considered dead in the Senate Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Senator Therese Murray of Plymouth who stands in opposition to all Baby Safe Haven laws and bills. Swiston's opponent, Kay Khan, is among the legislators blocking the bill.