Father leaves toddler in drop box, spurring outrage

TOKYO (AP) -- Japan's first anonymous drop box for unwanted babies triggered a wave of anger and soul searching Wednesday after it was discovered that a preschooler -- and not an infant -- was left by his father on the service's first day.
Newspapers condemned the father and warned that the operation was open to abuse and could traumatize youngsters.
The drop-off for infants, known as "Stork's Cradle," was begun May 10 by the Roman Catholic-run Jikei Hospital in the southern city of Kumamoto to discourage abortions and the abandonment of children in unsafe public places. The same day, a boy now believed to be 3 was found inside.
The boy, who was in good health, reportedly said he was left by his father, who was seen holding the youngster's hand as they approached the hospital. They apparently rode Japan's bullet train to Kumamoto, but it was unclear where they lived.
"I came with Daddy," the boy was quoted as saying by the Mainichi newspaper. Local media reported that the boy was able to identify himself by name, but it was unclear whether the father had been identified.
The revelation of the boy's age Tuesday triggered outrage among political leaders. The hospital has refused to comment on the case.
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