OLYMPIA -- Mothers who believe they are ill equipped to deal with their newborn children do have options, and safe places to leave their babies are available across the state.

Passed by the state Legislature in 2002, the Safety of Newborn Children law, offers parents a safe place to leave a newborn infant, confidentiality and no punishment.

Parents who leave a newborn, within 72 hours from birth, at a hospital emergency room or with a qualified person at a fire station during its hours of operation will not be prosecuted for child abandonment.

Under the law, no one will ask for the parent's name, the baby will be given medical care and placed in a good home and the parent will be provided with information on medical care and counseling services. Find out more at http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/ca/safety/sfAbandon.asp?1, the Department of Social and Health Services Web site.

Other alternatives to abandoning a newborn include contact trusted family or friends, contact a crisis line, consider adoption or call toll-free 1-866-EndHarm (1-866-363-4276) to be connected to Child Protective Services office.

(Editor's Note: This advisory is in response to reports this morning that baby was abandoned at a Renton apartment. Later reports said that the child was not abandoned but the mother believed she was unable to parent the child.)