The Garland Fire Department is commending a couple for making a difficult decision to surrender their newborn under Texas’ “Baby Moses” law.
Firefighters at Station #7 typically respond to emergency calls, but last Thursday, a unique situation arrived at their doorstep. A young mother and her boyfriend approached the station with a baby in her arms.
“This was a newborn, likely born just hours earlier,” said James Dugger, a spokesperson for the Garland Fire Department. The couple told paramedics they were unable to care for the child.
Paramedics quickly evaluated both the mother and the baby before transporting them to the hospital. “We later received word from the hospital that the baby was in perfect health and the mother was stable,” Dugger added.
The “Baby Moses” law, enacted in 1999 by Governor George W. Bush, allows parents in Texas to safely surrender their newborns at designated safe locations, such as fire stations, without facing legal consequences, as long as the baby is 60 days old or younger and has not been harmed.
Dugger praised the couple for their choice. “This is an incredibly tough decision for any parent. By choosing to surrender the child instead of abandoning or harming it, they made the right call,” he said.
Data from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services show that since September 2024, two newborns have been abandoned, while five were safely surrendered under the law. In the previous fiscal year, 18 babies were abandoned, compared to 14 that were surrendered.
Dugger emphasized that the Baby Moses law provides a safe option for parents in difficult circumstances. “For any young couple or mother feeling like there’s no way out, this law offers a secure choice to give the baby a chance at a healthy life,” he said.
Newborns surrendered under the law are placed in temporary state care while the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services works to find them a permanent home.
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