- Baby Boy Doe was left with an Alliance firefighter late last month.
- Stark County Children Services took emergency custody.
- Healthy Safe Havens newborn will soon be placed in a permanent home for adoption.
CANTON ‒ Baby Boy Doe will get a home and a name.
The mother of the 7-pound, 2-ounce baby gave him to a firefighter at the Alliance Fire Department on Jan. 24, the day after he was born. Known only as Jane Doe, she was able to leave her newborn under Ohio’s Safe Havens law.
“This was, I’m sure, a really difficult decision to make,” said Tricia Mayle, deputy director of Children Services for the Stark County Department of Job & Family Services.
The agency has emergency custody. The newborn is in foster care.
A hearing before Stark County Family Court Judge Michelle Cordova is scheduled for Feb. 21, the next step in what officials expect will lead to a permanent adoption by the foster family.
“This is an option that’s available. … I’m grateful (the mother) made this parenting decision,” said Quay Compton, chief legal counsel for Children Services.