In all 50 United States and Puerto Rico, there
are safe haven laws designed for a parent to
surrender a newborn child to designated 'safe
havens'. Designed to protect infants from neglect
or abuse, most states do not ask questions about
why you are turning over custody of the child. If
you or someone you know is pregnant and do not
feel that the child can be raised safely under
the care of either parent, the infant can be
usually relinquished without risk of prosecution.
!! Steps !!
* Research [1] the safe haven laws in your
state. The safe haven law is by state, not run by federal
legislation. Find out what your rights are with regards to legal
immunity, where and who you can turn over the infant, and the age
limit. Most states require the infant be under 72 hours old,
whereas some states have up to one month for the parent to decide
(see "Tips"). Learn what the specific laws are for your
jurisdiction.[1] [2]
* Come up with a plan [3]. If you can, discuss
this with another person whose opinion you trust, whether it be
the other parent, your family, friends, religious leader, or a
doctor. Decide where you will give birth and where you will hand
over the infant, and whether you need someone to accompany you for
support. You may even wish to consider someone else acting as your
agent rather than handing over the baby yourself.
* Give birth to the infant. Keep the infant
safe, warm, and nourished. Wrap him or her in a blanket or even a
sweatshirt. Feed and change the baby's diapers [4] when needed.
Protect the baby from abuse. If you or the infant are under
threat, call the police immediately.
Surrender the infant within the legal time
frame provided under the relevant legislation
for your state. Bring the baby to the
pre-determined safe haven, and ask an official
if they are the proper person to receive an
infant for emergency custody under the safe
haven law.
* You may be asked brief medical questions [5] or be subject to a
short physical examination, depending on your jurisdiction's laws.
* Ask for support [6] from loved ones. Giving
your infant up is not an easy decision, and sometimes the emotions
can be overwhelming. Do not be afraid to ask for support – these
emotions are common and bottling them up can be dangerous [7].
!! Video !!
!! Tips !!
* To date, approximately 49 States and Puerto Rico have enacted safe
haven legislation. The focus of these laws is protecting newborns.
In approximately 13 States, infants who are 72 hours old or
younger may be relinquished to a designated safe haven.
Approximately 16 States and Puerto Rico accept infants up to 1
month old. Other States specify varying age limits in their
statutes.[2] [8]
!! Warnings !!
* Do not abuse or neglect the infant. If there are any signs of
abuse or neglect when you hand over the infant, you will be
potentially liable for prosecution.
* Do not drop off the child at the door of the safe haven and leave.
You must physically hand over the child to the proper authority.
If you are dropping off a child at a church where this is
permitted, you must be certain an appropriate person is present to
receive the child.
!! Things You\'ll Need !!
* Diapers
* Warm clothing
* Carry basket or similar for the baby
* Medical information
!! Related WikiHows !!
* How to Put a Child up for Adoption [9]
* How to Deliver a Baby [10]
* How to Recognize Signs of Abuse in a Toddler or Baby [11]
* How to Decide Whether or Not to Get an Abortion [12]
* How to Write a Birth Plan [13]
!! Sources And Citations !!
* Federal statutes of the safe haven laws,
http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/statutes/safehaven.cfm
[14] – research resource.
!! Article Tools !!
* Read on wikiHow
*
Links:
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[1] http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Research-Paper
[2] http://bemoreconfident.info/#_note-0
[3] http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Birth-Plan
[4] http://www.wikihow.com/Change-a-Diaper
[5] http://www.wikihow.com/Take-a-Medical-History
[6] http://www.wikihow.com/Cheer-Someone-Up
[7] http://www.wikihow.com/Convince-Yourself-Not-to-Commit-Suicide
[8] http://bemoreconfident.info/#_note-1
[9] http://www.wikihow.com/Put-a-Child-up-for-Adoption
[10] http://www.wikihow.com/Deliver-a-Baby
[11] http://www.wikihow.com/Recognize-Signs-of-Abuse-in-a-Toddler-or-Baby
[12] http://www.wikihow.com/Decide-Whether-or-Not-to-Get-an-Abortion
[13] http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Birth-Plan
[14] http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/statutes/safehaven.cfm
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