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Safe Place for Newborns
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Safe Place
for Newborns:
Mission
Key Tenets
FAQ
Hospitals:
Medical Questionnaire
For Hospitals
Helping out:
Start the Program
Guide to Starting a Program
How You Can Help
Safe Place Sponsors
Be sure to visit:
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You can leave your unharmed baby, up to 3 days old, with a hospital employee at the emergency room of any hospital in Alabama. |
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If I want to leave my baby, where can I go?
You may go to the emergency room of any hospital in the state of Alabama and leave your baby with a hospital employee. (Hospital employees usually wear name badges, either clipped to a pocket, or hanging from their neck.) Tell the hospital person that you want to leave your baby with Safe Place for Newborns.
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Do I have to take my baby to the closest hospital?
No, you can take your baby to the emergency room of any hospital in Alabama.
If you aren’t sure where the hospitals are in Alabama, scroll down this page and click on the link that says, "Click Here to Find a Hospital in Alabama." This link will bring you to a list of hospitals.
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How long can I wait before I take my baby to the hospital?
Your baby can be up to 3 days old.
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Do I have to take my baby to the hospital, or can I ask someone else?
According to the new law, only the parents can leave their newborn at a hospital.
Back to TopWhat will the people at the hospital ask me? Do I have to leave my name?
First of all, it's important for you to know that you don't have to tell the people at the hospital your name, or anything else. It is also important to understand that no one is going to try to find out who you are.
The people at the hospital will probably ask you a few questions. Remember, no one is trying to trap you, or discover your identity. Each hospital will do things a little differently, but most will offer you the opportunity to provide some health information. This background, called a "medical history," will be incredibly valuable for your baby as he or she grows up. If you like, you could download a Medical History questionnaire from this website and fill it out before you take your baby in. This information will not be made public, but will be put in your baby’s records, and may help answer health questions in the future.
The hospital may also offer you a packet of information, and explain a few things to you. Again, no one is trying to stop you, but rather provide you with information that may be helpful to you. Whatever information you provide to the person receiving your child will be kept strictly confidential. Confidentiality is as important to the person receiving your child as it is to you.
When you're scared, it can be hard to believe that there are people out there who care and want to help, but you know what? There are people out there who care and want to help you. Back to Top
Is it true that the police will not be called?
If you leave your unharmed baby, less than 3 days old with a hospital employee at a hospital, the police will not be called.
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What happens to my baby after I leave the hospital?
The hospital will take care of any medical needs your baby may have. They will then contact its County Social Services. Social Services will place your baby in foster care, and after a period of time has passed your baby will eligible to be adopted. There are many families who are waiting to welcome children into their homes through adoption.
What if I change my mind and want my baby back?
This question brings up an important point. When you relinquish your baby at a hospital, you are also releasing your parental rights. That is why the hospital contacts its County Social Services department - Social Services will obtain custody of the baby, and place the child in foster care. After a period of time called a "waiting period" or "discovery period," the child will be adopted.
If you change your mind, and want to speak with someone about the possibility of regaining custody, you can contact the Social Services of the county where you brought your baby. If you don’t know what county the hospital is in, you can look it up on the Web, or simply call the hospital and ask.
Where are the hospitals in Alabama?
This link will bring you to a list of Alabama cities that have hospitals, with links to the address and telephone number of the hospital(s). Use your web browser "back" button to return to this site.
Hospitals in Alabama
Click Here to see another list of hospitals in Alabama.
Tell me about the Crisis Line?
The Telephone Crisis lines are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you would like to speak with someone, call:
251-431-5111or Toll Free: 1-877-440-2229
If you are interested in learning more about the program, please see the contact information listed below.
In Alabama, you can contact:
Mobile County District Attorney, Mr. John M. Tyson Jr., implemented "A Secret Safe Place for Newborns" in the fall of 1999. Check out the valuable information on his website:
Mobile County District Attorney Secret Safe Place for Newborns
In Minnesota, you can contact:
Laure Krupp, Executive Director, Safe Place for Newborns 120 South Sixth Street Suite 1150 Minneapolis, MN 55402 (612) 317-2895 (612) 317-2899 fax Email: safeplace@safeplacefornewborns.com Web Page: www.saefplacefornewborns.com
Section 26-25-1Possession and protection of abandoned child.(a) An emergency medical services provider, without a court order, shall take possession of a child who is 72 hours old or younger if the child is voluntarily delivered to the provider by the child's parent and the parent did not express an intent to return for the child. (b) An emergency medical services provider who takes possession of a child under this section shall perform any act necessary to protect the physical health or safety of the child. Section 26-25-2Notification to Department of Human Resources.(a) No later than the close of the first business day after the date on which an emergency medical services provider takes possession of a child pursuant to Section 26-25-1, the provider shall notify the Department of Human Resources that the provider has taken possession of the child. (b) The department shall assume the care, control, and custody of the child immediately on receipt of notice pursuant to subsection (a). The department shall be responsible for all medical and other costs associated with the child and shall reimburse the hospital for any costs incurred prior to the child being placed in the care of the department. Section 26-25-3Affirmative defense under criminal prosecution.It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under Sections 13A-13-4, 13A-13-5, and 13A-13-6, if the parent voluntarily delivers the child to an emergency medical services provider pursuant to Section 26-25-1. Section 26-25-4Emergency medical services provider.For the purposes of this chapter, an emergency medical services provider shall mean a licensed hospital, as defined in Section 22-21-20, which operates an emergency department. An emergency medical service provider does not include the offices, clinics, surgeries, or treatment facilities of private physicians or dentists. No individual licensed healthcare provider, including physicians, dentists, nurses, physician assistants, or other health professionals shall be deemed to be an emergency medical services provider under this chapter unless such individual voluntarily assumes responsibility for the custody of the child. Section 26-25-5Liability.No person or other entity subject to the provisions of this chapter shall be liable to any person for any claim for damages as a result of any action taken pursuant to the requirements of this chapter, and no lawsuit shall be predicated thereon.
Disclaimer: **This partial representation of Alabama law MUST NOT be considered an OFFICIAL representation.
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Map will direct you to Safe Haven laws in other states.
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