Why is there a need for Safe Haven?
• There is an escalating crisis in the United States. Mothers are keeping their pregnancy a secret, then disposing of the child after the birth. Safe Haven provides an alternative to a frightened girl/woman, who, in a moment of desperation, may do something drastic, destroying two lives, hers and her babies.
• It is now a Florida Law which allows a mother/ father an alternative to infant abandonment with your confidentiality protected. Resulting in:
- A child’s life is saved.
- A mother/father is saved from a lifetime of guilt and criminal prosecution.
- The hopes and dreams of parents waiting to adopt are fulfilled.
Where can someone leave his or her baby under the “Safe Haven” program?
• The baby may be taken to any hospital emergency room, staffed fire rescue station, or staffed emergency medical service station in the state of Florida.
• Please remember that it is mandatory to give the baby to a person working at one of these facilities. That is the best way to ensure that the baby will be well taken care of.
• People working at these facilities usually have some form of visible identification.
• Tell the person that you want to leave your baby with “Safe Haven”.
Does such legislation encourage abandonment?
No. The mother is encouraged to talk to someone even before the baby is born and is encouraged to either keep the baby or to go through the normal channels of the adoption process. She also is encouraged to seek prenatal care.
Obviously these bills are not the final answer to the societal problems contributing to the cause of infant abandonment but they provide a compassionate approach to saving the lives of innocent and helpless babies. This law is a positive outcome for all involved: a child’s life is saved; a mother or father is saved from lifetime of guilt and anguish; the hopes of a family waiting to adopt a child are fulfilled.
We believe - If one life is saved, all our efforts are truly worthwhile
Do other States have similar legislation?
As of May 2006, 47 states have enacted “Safe Haven” legislation. The three states that have not passed legislation are: Hawaii, Alaska and Nebraska.