In October 2024, a deceased infant was left in a Safe Haven Baby Box. This devastating news only sheds light on the sad reality that most parents in crisis are not informed about how they are protected under Safe Haven laws. Let’s break down the protections outlined in Safe Haven laws and share how you can locate a baby box near you:
Protections
Safe Haven laws provide anonymity, protection from prosecution, and confidentiality for parents surrendering their babies. You are not required to provide identifying information, you will not be prosecuted for abandonment, and any records related to the surrender will remain confidential.
Fear can cause people to make poor decisions. Therefore, these protections act as safeguards, ensuring parents in crisis can surrender their children without fear or hesitation. However, the above protections are contingent upon these guidelines:
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Location
You must surrender your child at a designated Safe Haven location. These locations often include hospitals, fire stations, and other emergency centers. Click here to find a location near you.
If the location has a baby box, you simply place the baby in the box, close the door, and leave. The baby will be safe in a climate-controlled environment. The box will immediately notify personnel that there is a baby inside.
If the location does not have a baby box, simply surrender the baby to available personnel and inform them you are relinquishing rights. They will not ask for any identifying information.
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Age/Condition
You must surrender your child *within 60 days (varies state to state) of their birth. The baby must be unharmed.
Things to Consider
Now that you have a better understanding of your protections, there are still a few things to consider:
- Once you have relinquished your rights, you cannot attempt to reclaim.
- If you surrender your child at a location with no baby box, personnel may ask for family medical history. This does not require you to share identifying information; staff are simply asking for information they may need to know to provide the best care for the baby.
Relinquishing your parental rights under Safe Haven laws is not a decision to be taken lightly. However, selflessly choosing a better life for your child will always be an admirable decision.
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