In the Bleak Midwinter

I don't understand the popularity of this book. I have started it twice and stopped both times because of the problematic premise and the off-putting characters. The book begins with an abandoned baby, but there are safe-haven laws in every state, allowing mothers to leave newborns at police and fire stations or hospitals, without risk of prosecution. Is it because this baby was left at a church that locating the mother becomes a matter for the police? I know this is picky, but surely that is in the spirit of the safe-haven law. The writing and characters couldn't get me over this plot hole.