Safe Place for Newborns

Florida:

You can leave your baby,

up to 3 days old,

at any hospital or fire-station

in Florida.

1. If I want to leave my baby where can I go?

2. Do I have to take my baby to the closest hospital?

3. How long can I wait before I take my baby to the hospital?

4. Do I have to take my baby to the hospital, or can someone else?

5. What will the people at the hospital ask me?  Do I have to leave my name?

6. Is it true that the police will not be called?

7. What happens to my baby after I leave the hospital?

8. What if I change my mind and want my baby back?

9. Where are the hospitals in Florida?

10. Tell me about about the Crisis Hotline?

11. How can I learn more about a Safe Haven for Newborns (of Florida) or Safe Place for Newborns (of Minnesota) and what I can do to help?

12. Florida Law

If I want to leave my baby, where can I go?

You may go to any hospital or fire station in the state of Florida and leave your baby with an employee.  Hospital employees usually wear name badges, either clipped to a pocket, or hanging from their neck  Fire rescue station personnel are usually in uniform.  Tell the hospital or fire rescue staff person that you want to leave your baby with A Safe Haven for Newborns.

Back to Top

Do I have to take my baby to the closest hospital or fire station?

No, you can take your baby to  any hospital or fire station in Florida.

If you aren’t sure where the hospitals are in Florida, scroll down this page and click on the link that says, "Click Here to Find a Hospital in Florida."  This link will bring you to a list of hospitals.

Back to Top

How long can I wait before I take my baby to the hospital?

Your baby can be up to 3 days old.

Back to Top

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 Top

What 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  baby, less than 3 days old with a hospital employee at a hospital, the police will not be called. 

Back to Top

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. There are many families who are waiting to welcome children into their homes through adoption. 

Back to Top

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.

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.  

Back to Top

Where are the hospitals in Florida?

This link will bring you to a list of Florida 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 Florida

Back to Top

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 1-877-767-BABY

or

Toll Free:  1-877-440-2229

If you are interested in learning more about the program, please see the contact information listed below.

Back to Top

Who can I contact to learn more information about A Safe Haven for Newborns (Florida) Safe Place for Newborns (Minnesota), or to find out how I can help?

In Florida, you can contact A Safe Haven for Newborns:

(305) 882-1304 ext. 103

Email:  safehaven@asafehavenfornewborns.com

Web Page:  www.asafehavenfornewborns.com

To contact Safe Place for Newborns in Minnesota:

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: http://www.safeplacefornewborns.com

Back to Top

…the term "abandoned" does not include an abandoned newborn infant as described in s. 383.50…

(Amended) 39.201  Mandatory reports of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect; mandatory reports of death; central abuse hotline.--

(f)  Reports involving abandoned newborn infants as described in s. 383.50 shall be made and received by the department.

1.  If the report is of an abandoned newborn infant as described in s. 383.50 and there is no indication of abuse, neglect, or abandonment of the infant other than that necessarily entailed in the infant having been left at a fire station or hospital, the department shall provide to the caller the name of a licensed child-placing agency on a rotating basis from a list of licensed child-placing agencies eligible and required to accept physical custody of and to place newborn infants left at a hospital or a fire station. The report shall not be considered a report of abuse, neglect, or abandonment solely because the infant has been left at a hospital pursuant to s. 383.50.

(Created) 63.0423  Procedures with respect to abandoned newborns.--

(1)  A licensed child-placing agency that takes physical custody of a newborn infant left at a hospital or a fire station pursuant to s. 383.50, shall assume responsibility for all medical costs and all other costs associated with the emergency services and care of the newborn infant from the time the licensed child-placing agency takes physical custody of the newborn infant.

(2)  The licensed child-placing agency shall immediately seek an order from the circuit court for emergency custody of the newborn infant. The emergency custody order shall remain in effect until the court orders preliminary approval of placement of the newborn infant in the prospective home, at which time the prospective adoptive parents become guardians pending termination of parental rights and finalization of adoption or until the court orders otherwise. The licensed child-placing agency may seek to temporarily place the newborn infant in a prospective adoptive home as soon as possible.

(3)  The licensed child-placing agency that takes physical custody of the newborn infant shall immediately request assistance from law enforcement officials to investigate and determine, through the Missing Children Information Clearinghouse, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and any other national and state resources, whether or not the newborn infant is a missing child.

(4)  Within 7 days after accepting physical custody of the newborn infant, the licensed child-placing agency shall initiate a diligent search to notify and to obtain consent from a parent whose identity or location is unknown, other than the parent who has left a newborn infant at a fire station or a hospital in accordance with s. 383.50. The diligent search must include, at a minimum, inquiries of all known relatives of the parent, inquiries of all offices or program areas of the department likely to have information about the parent, inquiries of other state and federal agencies likely to have information about the parent, inquiries of appropriate utility and postal providers and inquiries of appropriate law enforcement agencies. Constructive notice must also be provided pursuant to chapter 49 in the county where the newborn infant was left and in the county where the petition to terminate parental rights will be filed. The constructive notice must include at a minimum, available identifying information, and information on whom a parent must contact in order to assert a claim of parental rights of the newborn infant and how to assert that claim. If a parent is identified and located, notice of the adjudicatory hearing shall be provided. If a parent can not be identified or located subsequent to the diligent search and constructive notice, the licensed child-placing agency shall file an affidavit of diligent search at the same time that the petition to terminate parental rights is filed.

(5)  A petition for termination of parental rights under this section may not be filed until 30 days after the date the newborn infant was left in accordance with s. 383.50. A petition for termination of parental rights may not be granted until consent to adoption or an affidavit of nonpaternity has been executed by a parent of the newborn infant as set forth in s. 63.062, a parent has failed to reclaim or claim the newborn infant within the specified time period, or the consent of a parent is otherwise waived by the court.

(6)  A claim of parental rights of the newborn infant must be made to the entity having physical or legal custody of the newborn infant or to the circuit court before whom proceedings involving the newborn infant are pending. A claim of parental rights of the newborn infant may not be made after the judgment to terminate parental rights is entered, except as otherwise provided by subsection (10).

(7)  If a claim of parental rights of a newborn infant is made before the judgment to terminate parental rights is entered, the circuit court shall hold the action for termination of parental rights pending subsequent adoption in abeyance for a period of time not to exceed 60 days.

(a)  The court shall order scientific testing to determine maternity or paternity at the expense of the parent claiming parental rights unless maternity or paternity has been previously established legally or by scientific testing.

(b)  The court may appoint a guardian ad litem for the newborn infant and order whatever investigation, home evaluation and psychological evaluation are necessary to determine what is in the best interest of the newborn infant.

(c)  The court may not terminate parental rights solely on the basis that the parent left a newborn infant at a hospital or fire station in accordance with s. 383.50.

(d)  The court shall enter a judgment with written findings of fact and conclusions of law.

(8)  Within 24 hours after filing the judgment, the clerk of the court shall mail a copy of the judgment to the department, the petitioner, and the persons whose consent were required, if known. The clerk shall execute a certificate of each mailing.

(9)(a)  A judgment terminating parental rights pending adoption is voidable, and any later judgment of adoption of that minor is voidable, if, upon the motion of a parent, the court finds that a person knowingly gave false information that prevented the parent from timely making known his or her desire to assume parental responsibilities toward the minor or from exercising his or her parental rights. A motion under this subsection must be filed with the court originally entering the judgment. The motion must be filed within a reasonable time, but not later than 2 years after the entry of the judgment terminating parental rights.

(b)  No later than 30 days after the filing of a motion under this subsection, the court must conduct a preliminary hearing to determine what contact, if any, will be permitted between a parent and the child pending resolution of the motion. Such contact may be allowed only if it is requested by a parent who has appeared at the hearing. If the court orders contact between a parent and child, the order must be issued in writing as expeditiously as possible and must state with specificity any provisions regarding contact with persons other than those with whom the child resides.

(c)  At the preliminary hearing the court, upon the motion of any party or upon its own motion, may order scientific testing to determine the paternity or maternity of the minor if the person seeking to set aside the judgment is alleging to be the child's parent and that fact has not previously been determined by legal proceedings or scientific testing. The court may order supervised visitation with a person for whom scientific testing for paternity or maternity has been ordered. Such visitation shall be conditioned upon the filing of test results with the court and those results establishing that person's paternity or maternity of the minor.

(d)  No later than 45 days after the preliminary hearing, the court must conduct a final hearing on the motion to set aside the judgment and enter its written order as expeditiously as possible thereafter.

(10)  Except to the extent expressly provided in this section, proceedings initiated by a licensed child-placing agency for the termination of parental rights and subsequent adoption of a newborn left at a hospital or a fire station in accordance with s. 383.50 shall be conducted pursuant to chapter 63.

(Amended) 63.167  State adoption information center.--

2 (f)  Maintaining a list of licensed child-placing agencies eligible and willing to take custody of and place newborn infants left at a hospital, pursuant to s. 383.50. The names and contact information for the licensed child-placing agencies on the list shall be provided on a rotating basis to the statewide central abuse hotline.

63.182  Statute of repose.--Notwithstanding s. 95.031 or s. 95.11 or any other statute:

(1)  An action or proceeding of any kind to vacate, set aside, or otherwise nullify a judgment of adoption or an underlying judgment terminating parental rights on any ground, including duress but excluding fraud, shall in no event be filed more than 1 year after entry of the judgment terminating parental rights.

(2)  An action or proceeding of any kind to vacate, set aside, or otherwise nullify a judgment of adoption or an underlying judgment terminating parental rights on grounds of fraud shall in no event be filed more than 2 years after entry of the judgment terminating parental rights.

(Created) 383.50  Treatment of abandoned newborn infant.--

(1)  As used in this section, the term "newborn infant" means a child that a licensed physician reasonably believes to be approximately 3 days old or younger at the time the child is left at a hospital or a fire station.

(2)  There is a presumption that the parent who leaves the newborn infant in accordance with this section intended to leave the newborn infant and consented to termination of parental rights.

(3)  Each fire station staffed with full-time firefighters or emergency medical technicians shall accept any newborn infant left with a firefighter or emergency medical technician. The fire station shall consider these actions as implied consent to and shall:

(a)  Provide emergency medical services to the newborn infant to the extent he or she is trained to provide those services, and

(b)  Arrange for the immediate transportation of the newborn infant to the nearest hospital with emergency services. Any firefighter or emergency medical technician accepting or providing emergency medical services to a newborn infant pursuant to this subsection is immune from criminal or civil liability for having performed the act. Nothing in this subsection limits liability for negligence.

(4)  Each hospital of this state subject to s. 395.1041 shall, and any other hospital may, admit and provide all necessary emergency services and care, as defined in s. 395.002(10), to any newborn infant left with the hospital in accordance with this section. The hospital or any of its licensed health care professionals shall consider these actions as implied consent for treatment, and a hospital accepting physical custody of a newborn infant has implied consent to perform all necessary emergency services and care. The hospital or any of its licensed health care professionals is immune from criminal or civil liability for acting in good faith in accordance with this section. Nothing in this subsection limits liability for negligence.

(5)  Except where there is actual or suspected child abuse or neglect, any parent who leaves a newborn infant with a firefighter or emergency medical technician at a fire station or brings a newborn infant to an emergency room of a hospital and expresses an intent to leave the newborn infant and not return has the absolute right to remain anonymous and to leave at any time and may not be pursued or followed unless the parent seeks to reclaim the newborn infant.

(6)  A parent of a newborn infant left at a hospital or a fire station under this section may claim his or her newborn infant up until the court enters a judgment terminating his or her parental rights. A claim of parental rights of the newborn infant must be made to the entity having physical or legal custody of the newborn infant or to the circuit court before whom proceedings involving the newborn infant are pending.

(7)  Upon admitting a newborn infant under this section, the hospital shall immediately contact a local licensed child-placing agency or alternatively contact the statewide central abuse hotline for the name of a licensed child-placing agency for purposes of transferring physical custody of the newborn infant. The hospital shall notify the licensed child-placing agency that a newborn infant has been left with the hospital and approximately when the licensed child-placing agency can take physical custody of the child. In cases where there is actual or suspected child abuse or neglect, the hospital or any of its licensed health care professionals shall report the actual or suspected child abuse or neglect in accordance with ss. 39.1023 and 395.1023 in lieu of contacting a licensed child-placing agency.

(8)  Any newborn infant admitted to a hospital in accordance with this section is presumed eligible for coverage under Medicaid, subject to federal rules.

(9)  A newborn infant left at a fire station or a hospital in accordance with this section shall not be deemed abandoned subject to reporting and investigation requirements under s. 39.201 unless there is actual or suspected child abuse or until the department takes physical custody of the child.

(10)  A criminal investigation shall not be initiated solely because a newborn infant is left at a hospital under this section unless there is actual or suspected child abuse or neglect.

(Amended) 383.51  Confidentiality; identification of parent leaving newborn infant at hospital or fire station.--The identity of a parent who leaves a newborn infant at a hospital or a fire station in accordance with s. 383.50 is confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. The identity of a parent leaving a child shall be disclosed to a person claiming to be a parent of the newborn infant. This section is subject to the Open Government Review Act of 1995 in accordance with s. 119.15, and shall stand repealed on October 2, 2005, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.

(Created) 827.035  Newborn infants.--It shall not constitute neglect of a child pursuant to s. 827.03 or contributing to the dependency of a child pursuant to s. 827.04, if a parent leaves a newborn infant, as defined in s. 383.50, at a hospital or fire station or brings a newborn infant to an emergency room and expresses an intent to leave the infant and not return, in compliance with s. 383.50

.

Approved by Governor on June 2, 2000

Effective Date – July 1, 2000

**Disclaimer:

This partial representation of Florida law MUST NOT be considered an OFFICIAL representation.

Back to Top

Map will direct you to Safe Haven laws in other states.