Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1983. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
The New York Times - November 10, 1983
The child, whose Haitian mother died three weeks ago of the syndrome, was abandoned by her father. She has no home except a hospital crib.
When her mother became seriously ill months ago, social workers began looking for a home for the child, whose name is being withheld. At first no one volunteered, many fearing they would catch the disease. But the authorities said that, after a public plea was made, almost 30 people have offered to help care for the baby.
"We've gotten calls from eight people, some of whom look like really sharp individuals who would make good foster parents," said Carol Barker, a social worker at Jackson Memorial Hospital.
Jay Kassack, district administrator in the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, said his office has received about 20 calls from prospective foster parents.
"People are calling, saying, 'I'd like to make something for the baby,' or 'I'd like to donate something for the baby - blankets, stuffed animals,' - neat kinds of things that a baby needs," Mr. Kassack said.
AIDS is a deadly syndrome that robs the body of its immune system and makes it susceptible to other diseases. It is not highly infectious but can be transmitted to an infant before or during birth through an infected mother's blood.
Federal health officials have said that most AIDS victims are homosexuals, but Haitians are also thought to be at high risk. The infant is one of the fewer than 100 children nationwide who have contracted AIDS.
Because she is not seriously ill, officials at Jackson Memorial Hospital want to use her crib for a sicker child. State health officials who are paying for her care say the hospital bill, now nearly $60,000, is high enough.
When the search for a new home was begun three months ago, about 20 foster homes in Dade County rejected the child. Many people said they wanted to help but feared catching AIDS.
"I wish the fear level weren't so high," Miss Barker said. "These people are human beings. This little baby is so sweet. She is so easy to love."
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