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Mizuno: More information on Baby Safe Haven law should be available

STAR-ADVERTISER / NOV. 8, 2013
State Rep. John Mizuno

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 Wai-kiki 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 Wai-kiki Hotel, according to Emergency Medical Services and police. Officers arrested a 32-year-old female visitor at about 11:45 p.m.

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