HAMILTON — A woman took advantage of Butler County's newborn drop-off program and left her baby girl Sunday at Middletown Regional Hospital.

        Butler County Children Services has placed the baby in one of its prospective foster-to-adopt homes.

        This is the first newborn drop-off in Butler County since the program was started in April to discourage parents of unwanted newborns from dumping their babies in unsafe places. It allows parents to drop off healthy newborns who have not been abused. The parent will not be charged with neglect or abandonment.

        “We all said if we saved only one life, the program was worth it,” said Bob Walker, Children Services spokesman. “Now it's all worth it.”

        The program — called Secret, Safe Place for Newborns — was developed by Children Services, hospitals, law enforcement units, schools and the prosecutor's office. It's modeled after Hamilton County's program.

        At 6:30 p.m. Sunday, a woman brought a newborn to the hospital's emergency room. After the staff verified that the baby was unharmed, the mother was permitted to leave without identifying herself, Mr. Walker said.

        “We got a healthy, wonderful baby,” said Sandy Oswald, hospital spokeswoman. “The system worked beautifully.”

Cities still shun adult businesses
New teacher beats first-day anxieties
Pair arrested in embezzlement
27 file petitions for council race
Eight are vying for CPS board
Local NAACP to hold back-to-school rally
Man shot dead inside furniture store
Weekend events make for tough travel
RADEL: Rijo, Schippers
4-wheeling fans fill Cleves
Gridlock looms at Riverfest
Hopefuls looking for lady luck
One ball off, but someone won 100 grand
Sayler Park seeks funds
Tristate A.M. Report
Variety of school levies in SW Ohio
Deerfield trustee to bow out
New baby quickly gets new family
School invites people from township to picnic
Three compete for Hamilton mayor
Township asking for levies
OU contractors ordered to pay fines, back wages
Parole board rejects clemency
Study: Test can't predict preparedness
Chili, car show looking for some riverfront magic
Delays plague Ky. 17 stretch
Kentucky News Briefs
Louisville Slugger checks swing on 'old bats' sign