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What is Safe Place for Newborns?
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Will the mother be asked any questions, or will the authorities be contacted?
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Why
3 days?
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Why is there a need
for Safe Place?
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What happens to a child
left with Safe Place?
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What happens if the mother changes her mind
and wants her baby back?
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What about the baby's father, or other relatives?
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If the newborn is injured or harmed, but a mother chooses to use program, could
she be turned away or face prosecution?
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Can anyone other than the mother
of a newborn use this program without fear of
prosecution?
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What if
a person brings in a baby without the mother's permission?
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Is
Minnesota the only state
to have a program like this?
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Can't we help these women before they get to this stage?
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What are you doing to get the word out?
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How can
I help?
What is Safe Place for Newborns?
Minnesota:
Safe Place for Newborns provides a mother, who might otherwise abandon her newborn, with a
life-saving option. She may bring her unharmed newborn, up to 3 days old, to any hospital
in the state of Minnesota - anonymously, and free from the fear of prosecution.
Across the United States: 44 other states have enacted some type
of legislation that makes it possible for a mother to safely relinquish her
child at a safe place in lieu of a more dangerous one.
Will
the mother be asked any questions, or will the authorities be contacted?
Minnesota - No authorities will be contacted and the mother's identity will not be asked. The mother
will be given a brief medical history questionnaire with a response envelope that she can
take with her to complete and mail to the hospital.
Across the United States: Most
states allow the mother to remain anonymous.
Why 3 days?
Minnesota:
The first hours of a newborn's life are the most vulnerable, therefore, more urgent. If a
mother has hidden her pregnancy, where is she hiding her baby? There have been cases of
mothers who have caused their newborn’s death unintentionally because the hiding
place she chose for her child was not safe.
Across the United States: The
maximum age of a child relinquished to a safe haven program varies from 3
days to one year (North Dakota).
Why is there a need for Safe Place?
There is an escalating crisis in the United States. Mothers are keeping their pregnancy a
secret, and then discarding the child after the birth. Safe Place for Newborns provides an
alternative to frightened women, who, in a moment of desperation, may do something
drastic.
What happens to a child left with Safe Place?
Minnesota: The hospital will provide any needed medical care. They will contact the Department of
Social Services, who will assume custody of the baby, and follow normal child abandonment
procedures. These procedures vary by county, but most generally place the (abandoned) baby
in a temporary foster home. There is a waiting period, again varying by county, during
which time a parent could reclaim the child. After the waiting period, the baby is
eligible for adoption.
Across the United States: Most
states follow a pattern, similar to that in Minnesota.
What happens if the mother changes her mind and wants her baby back?
Minnesota: If the mother returns to the hospital
to reclaim her child, the hospital will direct her to Social Service, who will determine
the best course of action. The mother’s identity can be confirmed through blood work.
Each county has differing procedures for working with the adoptive process
of an abandoned child, but all of them all for a specified "waiting period"
in which time a mother or father, or other interested party can reclaim a
child.
Across the United States: Again,
most states follow a pattern, similar to that in Minnesota.
What about the baby's father, or other relatives?
Minnesota:
As with the question above, they can contact Social Services.
Minnesota has laws that preserve the rights of fathers. The Safe Place
for Newborns law did not change any laws regarding father's rights.
Across the United States: Again,
safe haven laws do not change any laws regarding father's rights.
If the newborn is injured or harmed, but a mother chooses to use program, could
she be turned away or face prosecution?
Minnesota: No newborn will be turned away. However, the guarantees of anonymity and freedom from
prosecution only apply to those mothers bringing unharmed newborns.
Across the United States: Safe
Haven laws are not intended as a refuge for someone who abuses a newborn.
If a parent attempts to relinquish an abused newborn to a safe haven
program, the police will most likely be called.
Can anyone other than the mother of a newborn use this program without fear of
prosecution?
Minnesota: Yes, if the person is acting with the mother's permission. If the newborn is unharmed, the
father or immediate family can use the program within 3 days of birth.
Across the United States: Most laws
specify who can relinquish the child. Some states do allow either
parent, or, as with Minnesota, a person acting with the mother's permission.
What if a person brings in a baby without the mother's permission?
Minnesota: If a mother’s child is taken from her and turned in to Safe Place for Newborns
without her permission, she can do what any mother of a missing child would do - call the
police. Reports of missing children are cross-matched with children who have been found
abandoned, including Safe Place for Newborns children.
Across the United States: See
above.
Is
Minnesota the only state to have a program like this?
No. Minnesota became the
third state in the country to adopt safe newborn relinquishment legislation
when the Governor signed the Safe Place for Newborns bill on April 18, 2000.
Since that time, more than 30 states have adopted such legislation:
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Alabama - 2000
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Alaska - no Safe Haven Law
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Arizona - 2001
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Arkansas - 2001
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California - 2000
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Colorado - 2000
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Connecticut - 2000
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Delaware - 2001
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Florida - 2000
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Georgia - 2002
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Hawaii - Governor vetoed Safe Haven Bill in 2003
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Idaho - 2001
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Illinois - 2001
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Indiana - 2000
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Iowa - 2001
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Kansas - 2000
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Kentucky - 2002
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Louisiana - 2000
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Maine - 2002
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Maryland - 2002
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Massachusetts - no Safe Haven Law
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Michigan - 2000
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Minnesota - 2000
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Mississippi - 2001
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Missouri - 2002
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Montana - 2001
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Nebraska - no Safe Haven Law
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Nevada - 2001
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New Jersey - 2000
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New Mexico - 2001
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New York - 2000
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North Carolina - 2001
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North Dakota - 2001
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Ohio - 2001
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Oklahoma - 2001
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Oregon - 2001
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Pennsylvania 0 2002
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Rhode Island - 2001
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South Carolina - 2000
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South Dakota - 2001
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Texas - 1999
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Utah - 2001
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Virginia - 2003
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Washington - 2002
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West Virginia - 2000
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Wisconsin - 2001
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Wyoming - 2003
Can't we help these women before they get to this stage?
Minnesota: The brochure has a section entitled, "Don't Wait-Help is Available Now."
Our 24-7 Crisis
Hotline number (877.440.2229) is listed. We hope that women call before they have their
babies-effectively thwarting a crisis before it begins. We also hope that the publicity
that the program has received will help young mothers realize that the community cares
about them, and that there is help available.
Across the United States: Many
states have non-profit organization like Safe Place for Newborns of
Minnesota who are working to connect women with the help they need prior to
giving birth.
What are you doing to get the word out?
Minnesota: Legislation and county programs are not effective if those who most need the program are
unaware of its existence. Here are a few things going on:
- A Public Service announcement is running on FOX 29.
- 5 Safe Place for Newborns billboards are rotating throughout the Twin Cities Metro area,
one in Rochester.
- We are in the process of developing an informational video about the program.
- Every school district in the state has been contacted, given Safe Place for Newborns
information, and given the opportunity to request brochures for distribution among the
students.
- Every post-secondary educational institution has been contacted.
- The editor of every newspaper in the state has been contacted, asked to run a story on
the program, and given a sample article and ad.
- We are developing a poster campaign to be sent to the hospitals and schools in the
state.
- This web page! Once more funds are raised, you'll see a lot more of
us!
Across the United States: Other
states are conducting similar community education campaigns about their
safe haven law.
How can I help?
Minnesota:
Since we are still a “work in progress” we welcome offers to help! Here are some
ideas:
- Presently, we are working on distribution of a brochure describing Safe Place for
Newborns. We want to get it into the hands of as many young people as possible.
- We are looking for opportunities to conduct Safe Place for Newborns presentations at
citizen groups, civic groups, schools, etc.
- We are raising funds to support the community education portion of the program. No funds
were appropriated with the legislation. Some of our supporters have taken advantage of
matching grant programs at the companies at which they work. Some have sponsored
fund-raising dinners and rummage sales. Some have offered to approach their company
foundation on behalf of Safe Place for Newborns. Safe Place for Newborns is a non-profit
organization, and all contributions are tax deductible.
- We are in need of some office equipment.
- Look around your community and ask yourself, “Where would I hear about this program
in my community?” Would you be willing to take the Safe Place for Newborns brochure
or poster to the school in your area and ask about distribution among the students? How
about women out of high school? Where would they hear about the program?
- You may also want to check out our
"Spreading
the Word" page.
- Suggestions? Want to help?
Contact Safe Place
for Newborns.
Across the United States:
Contact your local safe haven organization to get involved. If you
don't know if your state has such an organization, check out our
links page.
If it doesn't and you want to get one started,
contact
Safe Place for Newborns and we can help
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