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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 baby, up to 3 days old, with an employee at the emergency room of any hospital California. |
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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 California and leave your baby with an employee. Hospital employees usually wear name badges, either clipped to a pocket, or hanging from their neck Tell the person with whom you are leaving your baby that you want to leave your newborn with "Safe Arms for Newborns."
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Do I have to take my baby to the closest place?
No, you can take your baby to any of the places mentioned in the question above.
If you aren’t sure where the hospitals are in California, scroll down this page and click on the link that says, "Click Here to Find a Hospital in California." This link will bring you to a list of hospitals, organized by city. Click on the city that you wish to go to to see a list of hospitals in that city. The list includes the address and telephone number of each hospital.
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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, a parent or other person having lawful custody (see law) can leave their newborn at a hospital. An agent of the parent means someone who is acting with your permission, can bring your baby to leave with the safe haven program.
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, (click to see law) 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 offer you a medical ID bracelet that will match one given to your child. 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?
The new law says that if a parent or other person having lawful custody leaves their baby, less than 3 days old with a hospital employee at a hospital emergency room uses this program, he or she may not be prosecuted (see law).
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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 (that time varies, depending on the county, but usually a few weeks) your baby will be eligible to be adopted. So many wonderful people are ready and waiting to receive a child into their home through adoption.
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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 that ranges from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the County, the child will be adopted.
The new law give the parent 14 days to change your mind. If you wish to reclaim your child, you can start by returning to the hospital, or contacting Social Services. The child welfare agency will first verify that you are the parent of the child. They will assess your circumstances, and your ability to parent. If all goes well, the agency will request that the juvenile court order the release of the child. This may seem intimidating, by try to look at it this way... when you release your baby to the hospital and the county obtains custody of your baby, they are going to do everything they can to be certain that your child is well cared for. You may wish to read this part of the new law.
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Where are the hospitals in California?
This link will bring you to a list of California 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 California
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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:
Toll Free: 1-2-SAFE-ARMS (1-877-272-3327) or Toll Free: 1-877-440-2229 If you are interested in learning more about the program, please see the contact information listed below.
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In California, you can contact Garden of Angels and Safe Arms for Newborns at:
Los Angeles County Task Force - Safely Surrendered Law
To contact Safe Place for Newborns in Minnesota:
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(Added to Health and Safety Code) 1255 .7:(a) (1) A person designated pursuant to Section 271.5 of the Penal Code shall take physical custody of a minor child 72 hours old or younger pursuant to this section if the parent or other person having lawful custody of the child voluntarily surrenders physical custody of the child to that person. The person designated shall place a coded, confidential ankle bracelet on the child and provide, or make a good faith effort to provide, the parent or other person surrendering the child a copy of a unique, coded, confidential ankle bracelet identification in order to facilitate reclaiming the child pursuant to subdivision (e). (2) The person designated shall provide, or make a good faith effort to provide, the parent or other person surrendering the child a medical information questionnaire, which may be declined, voluntarily filled out and returned at the time the child is surrendered, or later filled out and mailed in the envelope provided for this purpose. This medical information questionnaire shall not require any identifying information about the child or the parent or person surrendering the child, other than the identification code provided in the ankle bracelet placed on the child. Every questionnaire provided pursuant to this section shall begin with the following notice in no less than 12-point type: NOTICE: THE BABY YOU HAVE BROUGHT IN TODAY MAY HAVE SERIOUS MEDICAL NEEDS IN THE FUTURE THAT WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT TODAY. SOME ILLNESSES, INCLUDING CANCER, ARE BEST TREATED WHEN WE KNOW ABOUT FAMILY MEDICAL HISTORIES. IN ADDITION, SOMETIMES RELATIVES ARE NEEDED FOR LIFE-SAVING TREATMENTS. TO MAKE SURE THIS BABY WILL HAVE A HEALTHY FUTURE, YOUR ASSISTANCE IN COMPLETING THIS QUESTIONNAIRE FULLY IS ESSENTIAL. THANK YOU. (b) A person taking physical custody of a minor child pursuant to this section shall provide a medical screening examination and any necessary medical care to the minor child. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the consent of the parent or other relative shall not be required to provide that care to the minor child. (c) As soon as possible, but in no event later than 48 hours after taking custody of a child, a person who takes physical custody of a child under this section shall notify child protective services or a county agency providing child welfare services pursuant to Section 16501 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, that the person has physical custody of the child pursuant to this section. (d) Child protective services or the county agency providing child welfare services pursuant to Section 16501 of the Welfare and Institutions Code shall assume temporary custody of the child pursuant to Section 300 of the Welfare and Institutions Code immediately on receipt of notice under subdivision (c). Child protective services or the county agency providing child welfare services pursuant to Section 16501 of the Welfare and Institutions Code shall immediately investigate the circumstances of the case and file a petition pursuant to Section 311 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. Child protective services or the county agency providing child welfare services pursuant to Section 16501 of the Welfare and Institutions Code shall immediately notify the State Department of Social Services of each such child upon taking temporary custody of the child pursuant to Section 300 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. (e) If, prior to the filing of a petition under subdivision (d), a person who has voluntarily surrendered a child pursuant to this section requests that the hospital return the child, and the hospital still has custody of the child, the hospital shall either return the child to the person or contact a child protective agency if a health practitioner at the hospital knows or reasonably suspects that the child has been the victim of child abuse or neglect. The voluntary surrendering of a child pursuant to this section is not in and of itself a sufficient basis for reporting child abuse or neglect. The terms "child abuse," "child protective agency," "health practitioner," "neglect," and "reasonably suspects" shall be given the same meanings as in Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 11164) of Part 4 of Title 1 of the Penal Code. (f) Subsequent to the filing of a petition under subdivision (d), if within 14 days of the voluntary surrender described in this section the person who surrendered custody returns to claim physical custody of the child, the child welfare agency shall verify the identity of the person, conduct an assessment of the person's circumstances and ability to parent, and request that the juvenile court dismiss the petition for dependency and order the release of the child, if the child welfare agency determines that none of the conditions described in subdivisions (a) to (d), inclusive, of Section 319 of the Welfare and Institutions Code currently exist. (g) No person or entity that accepts a surrendered child shall be subject to civil, criminal, or administrative liability for accepting the child and caring for the child in the good faith belief that action is required or authorized by this section, including, but not limited to, instances where the child is older than 72 hours or the person surrendering the child did not have lawful physical custody of the child. The provision does not confer immunity from liability for personal injury or wrongful death, including, but not limited to, injury resulting from medical malpractice. (h) This section shall be repealed on January 1, 2006, unless a later enacted statute extends or repeals that date. (Added to Penal Code) 271.5: (a) No parent or other person having lawful custody of a minor child 72 hours old or younger may be prosecuted for a violation of Section 270, 270.5, 271, or 271a if he or she voluntarily surrenders physical custody of the child to any employee, designated pursuant to this section, on duty at a public or private hospital emergency room or any additional location designated by the county board of supervisors by resolution. Each such hospital or other designated entity shall designate the classes of employees required to take custody of these children. (b) This section shall be repealed on January 1, 2006, unless a later enacted statute extends or deletes that date. (Amended to Welfare and Institutions Code) 300: Any child who comes within any of the following descriptions is within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court which may adjudge that person to be a dependent child of the court: (g) The child has been left without any provision for support; physical custody of the child has been voluntarily surrendered pursuant to Section 1255.7 of the Health and Safety Code and the child has not been reclaimed within the 14-day period specified in subdivision (e) of that section; the child's parent has been incarcerated or institutionalized and cannot arrange for the care of the child; or a relative or other adult custodian with whom the child resides or has been left is unwilling or unable to provide care or support for the child, the whereabouts of the parent are unknown, and reasonable efforts to locate the parent have been unsuccessful. (Amended to Welfare and Institutions Code) 309: (a) Upon delivery to the social worker of a child who has been taken into temporary custody under this article, the social worker shall immediately investigate the circumstances of the child and the facts surrounding the child's being taken into custody and attempt to maintain the child with the child's family through the provision of services. The social worker shall immediately release the child to the custody of the child's parent, guardian, or responsible relative unless one or more of the following conditions exist: (5) The parent or other person having lawful custody of the child voluntarily surrendered physical custody of the child pursuant to Section 1255.7 of the Health and Safety Code and did not reclaim the child within the 14-day period specified in subdivision (e) of that section. 309 .a) Upon delivery to the social worker of a child who has been taken into temporary custody under this article, the social worker shall immediately investigate the circumstances of the child and the facts surrounding the child's being taken into custody and attempt to maintain the child with the child's family through the provision of services. The social worker shall immediately release the child to the custody of the child's parent, guardian, or responsible relative unless one or more of the following conditions exist: (b) In any case in which there is reasonable cause for believing that a child who is under the care of a physician or surgeon or a hospital, clinic, or other medical facility and cannot be immediately moved is a person described in Section 300, the child shall be deemed to have been taken into temporary custody and delivered to the social worker for the purposes of this chapter while the child is at the office of the physician or surgeon or the medical facility. (Amended) to Welfare and Institutions Code) 361 .5: (a) Except as provided in subdivision (b) of this section or when the parent has voluntarily relinquished the child and the relinquishment has been filed with the State Department of Social Services, or upon the establishment of an order of guardianship pursuant to Section 360, whenever a child is removed from a parent's or guardian's custody, the juvenile court shall order the social worker to provide child welfare services to the child and the child's mother and statutorily presumed father or guardians. Upon a finding and declaration of paternity by the juvenile court or proof of a prior declaration of paternity by any court of competent jurisdiction, the juvenile court may order services for the child and the biological father, if the court determines that the services will benefit the child. Child welfare services, when provided, shall be provided as follows:(9) That the child has been found to be a child described in subdivision (g) of Section 300, that the parent or guardian of the child willfully abandoned the child, and the court finds that the abandonment itself constituted a serious danger to the child; or that the parent or other person having custody of the child voluntarily surrendered physical custody of the child pursuant to Section 1255.7 of the Health and Safety Code. For the purposes of this paragraph, "serious danger" means that without the intervention of another person or agency, the child would have sustained severe or permanent disability, injury, illness, or death. For purposes of this paragraph, "willful abandonment" shall not be construed as actions taken in good faith by the parent without the intent of placing the child in serious danger. The court shall not order reunification for a parent or guardian described in paragraph (3), (4), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (12), (13), or (14) of subdivision (b) unless the court finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that reunification is in the best interest of the child. (Added to Welfare and Institutions Code) 14005 .24.(a) The department shall instruct counties, by means of an all county letter or similar instruction, as to the process that is to be used to ensure that each child, physical custody of whom has been voluntarily surrendered pursuant to Section 1255.7 of the Health and Safety Code, shall be determined eligible for benefits under this chapter for, at a minimum, a period of time commencing on the date physical custody is surrendered and ending on the earliest of the following dates: (1) The last day of the month following the month in which the child was voluntarily surrendered under Section 1255.7 of the Health and Safety Code. (2) The date the child is reclaimed under Section 1255.7 of the Health and Safety Code. (3) The date the child ceases to reside in California. (b) This section shall be repealed on January 1, 2006, unless a later enacted statute extends or deletes that date. Signed by Governor - September 28, 2000**Disclaimer: This partial representation of California law MUST NOT be considered an OFFICIAL representation.Back to Top |
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Map will direct you to Safe Haven laws in other states.
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