That's five lives saved, says Murray Democratic Sen. Patrice Arent, who sponsored legislation creating the 2001 law. "If we had saved one baby the law would have been worthwhile."

But Arent says recent, unpublicized cases of babies left for dead in public places - including one infant she said West Jordan police discovered last year - has her fearing not enough young, frightened mothers know they have options.

"These girls aren't at home reading the Utah Code. They don't know about the law," Arent said Tuesday at a news conference announcing the launch of a new public awareness campaign.

Arent says the state has "done everything possible" to get the word out, including creating an informational Web site and hot line. Next step: Hollywood-quality public service videos made possible with $14,000 in donations and the volunteer efforts of designers at the Salt Lake City ad agency Richter7.

Utah is among 47 states with safe abandonment laws, which allow women to surrender newborns within three days of their births with no fear of criminal prosecution. In the four years leading up to passage of Utah's law, six living infants were abandoned.

That figure does not include newborns who died, such as a baby boy found at a St. George miniature golf course in 2001, or a newborn boy found stuffed in a dresser drawer in 1998.

It's possible others have been abandoned, died and were never found, said Arent.

Tracking known cases is difficult. Child welfare officials report three relinquishments under the law. Health officials report five.

"It's possible that babies are being adopted privately and we're not notified," said Carol Sisco, human services spokeswoman. "The good news is there aren't a lot of them, but there's a place for them to go."

Under the law, women can leave their babies - no questions asked - at 24-hour hospitals that are equipped to provide any needed medical care.

The police will not be notified, and the women do not have to divulge their identity. They are encouraged, however, to answer a short, anonymous and voluntary questionnaire detailing the baby's medical history.

Within 24 hours of receiving the baby, the hospital notifies child welfare officials who take temporary custody of the child and look for a permanent home.

For more information on the law, and a list of Utah hospitals visit http://www. utahsafehaven.org/