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In two decades, Georgia's 'Safe Haven' law has hardly been used

The first two years after the act passed showed the highest usage – in 2003 at nine babies given to safe places and in 2004 at 12.

Meleah Lyden, Gabriella Nunez

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Published: 2:22 PM EDT June 14, 2023
Updated: 8:45 PM EDT June 14, 2023

Cries rang out as a family was driving by Daves Creek Road on their way home, confused if they were hearing an animal or a child.

It was the summer of 2019, and at first, they didn’t know what was screaming for help off the side of the road. The family alerted 911 – feeling and fearing it was potentially a child.

“We don’t know if somebody is down there with it. We’re kind of scared,” the caller said to emergency services. 

But they soon discovered the answer to the noise that haunted them.  

“It’s in a bag. It’s in a bag. Hurry! Hurry!” 

Law enforcement responded to the scene and found a child tied up in a plastic bag and thrown into the woods. The infant garnered national attention and is now known as “Baby India.”

Almost four years later, her biological mother, Karima Jiwani, was arrested and is now accused of criminal murder, cruelty to children in the first degree, aggravated assault and reckless abandonment.

As Jiwani's case moves through the justice system, her recent arrest is shining a light on infant relinquishment and how Georgia’s "Safe Haven" law isn't typically an option mothers turn to, according to the state's Department of Family and Children Services data.

Advocates say the current data doesn't paint an accurate narrative. This story explores why.

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