Legal Definitions - Baby Doe

Baby Doe is a name used to protect the identity of a very young child who is involved in legal proceedings, particularly those related to medical care. The term is often followed by a gender designation, such as Baby Girl Doe or Baby Boy Doe.

For example, if a newborn baby is born with a serious medical condition and the parents refuse medical treatment, the hospital may take legal action to ensure the baby receives necessary care. In this case, the baby's identity would be protected by using the pseudonym Baby Doe.

The use of the term Baby Doe is important to protect the privacy of the child and their family during legal proceedings. It allows the child to receive necessary care without being publicly identified.