Mother Charged After Baby Boy Found in Dumpster at Claflin University

Amber Fulton

ORANGEBURG, S.C. (WOLO) – A Claflin University student is charged with attempted murder after her newborn was found in a dumpster.

According to The Orangeburg Department of Public Safety, Amber Fulton, 19, was identified as the child’s mother.

Fulton allegedly gave birth in a dorm bathroom before the baby boy was found on the school’s campus just after 8:30 Wednesday morning.

Fulton was taken to The Regional Medical Center for evaluation.

The baby was also taken to the same hospital and is in DSS custody.

ABC Columbia’s Gabrielle Franklin is working on a story about Daniel’s Law: The Safe Haven for Abandoned Babies Act.

The law provides a person who abandons a newborn cannot be prosecuted for abandonment if he or she takes the unharmed baby to staff or an employee of a safe haven.

Safe havens are defined as a hospital or hospital outpatient facility, law enforcement agencies, fire stations, emergency medial services (EMS) stations or a house of worship during the time the church or synagogue is staff.

• If the baby has been harmed in some way, the immunity from prosecution may not apply. The law applies to infants up to 60 days old.
• The person leaving the child does not have to reveal his or her identity.
• The person leaving the child will be asked to provide medical information about the baby’s parents, and if possible, the name of the baby’s parents. This will help the medical personnel treat the baby for any health problems.
• The hospital will provide medical care and contact South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS). DSS will have legal custody of the child and will place the child in a foster home.
• DSS will immediately pursue family court action to free the child for adoption.

For more information about Daniel’s Law click here.

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