Wis. Hospitals to Stop Releasing Birth Notices to Local Newspapers

MADISON, Wis. — A growing concern about infant abductions has prompted Meriter Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital not to release information of new births to newspapers, which traditionally publish birth announcements.

In 1999, the Joint Commission issued an alert requesting that hospitals discontinue publication of birth notices in local newspapers, Wisconsin State Journal reports. Additionally, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) constantly warns parents to consider the risk of birth notices.

Since 1983, at least 290 newborns have been abducted from the United States, including 132 at healthcare facilities. Four of those cases were linked to birth announcements, according to NCMEC.

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