Abandon Baby Incidents May be Avoided with the SAFE HAVEN Program
“Newborn baby abandoned at the county recycling center” - Buena Vista County, Iowa
Baby found in dumpster outside Detroit church" - Warren, Michigan
“Baby abandoned in restaurant restroom” — Cherokee County, N.C.
“Newborn left in parking lot” — Elizabethtown, Ky.
You've seen the headlines and read the stories….babies abandoned by parents unwilling or unable to care for a child. To provide a safe place for parents to leave children without being charged with abandonment, Safe Haven laws were passed in Iowa and over 30 other states. (State laws vary in each state.) The Safe Haven Act is an Iowa law that allows parents – or another person who has the parent’s authorization – to leave an infant up to 14 days old at a hospital, such as Palo Alto County Hospital, or healthcare facility in Iowa without fear of arrest or going to court.
Persons leaving an infant at a hospital or healthcare facility in Iowa must leave the infant with an individual on duty or immediately contact the hospital or 911 to make sure that the individual on duty is aware of the location of the baby and that the infant is being left there under the provisions of the Safe Haven Act. The hospital may ask for, but cannot require, the name of the parent or parents, the medical history of the infant and the infant’s parents. All identifying information given is kept confidential. Custody of the infant is given to the Iowa Department of Human Services and a hearing to terminate the rights of both parents will be held within 30 days. The infant will then be placed for adoption.
Safe Haven for Newborns
Information for Parents
What is Safe Haven
The Safe Haven Act is an Iowa law that allows parents – or another person who has the parent’s authorization – to leave an infant up to 14 days old at a hospital or health care facility without fear of arrest or going to court. Palo Alto County Hospital is a Save Haven designation .
Why it is Important
As a parent, or authorized person, if you leave an infant at a Safe Haven
- You cannot be charged with abandonment of the infant
- You do not need to go to court
What Happens?
When an infant is left at a SafeHaven:
- Custody of the infant is given to the Iowa Department of Human Services.
- Any identifying information given when leaving the infant is kept confidental.
- A hearing to terminate the rights of both parents will be held within 30 days and the infant will be placed for adoption.
Court Hearing to Terminate Parental Rights
The date and time of the court hearing to terminate parental rights will be published in the newspaper.
If either parent wishes to receive special notice of the court hearing, name and address may be given to:
The Safe Haven where the infant was left.
The Clerk of Court in the county where the Safe Haven is located.
The Putative Father Registry.
You do not need to go to court unless you want to.
If You Need Help
Counseling services are available to help you with the important decision you just made. Call 1-800-369-2229 to talk with a health professional and/or to find out what services are available in your area.
If You Change Your Mind
- If you decide you want to keep custody of the infant, either parent may go to the court hearing in person and ask the Juvenile Court to grant custody of the infant to you.
- At the hearing you must be able to show the court evidence -
- That you are the parent of the child, and
- That granting custody to you would be in the infant’s best interest.
- The judge may order services to help you learn to care for your child.
According To The Law
According to state law, either parent of a newborn infant whose custody was released under the Safe Haven Act may intervene in court proceedings held regarding the infant and request that the Juvenile Court grant custody of the infant to the parent. The requester must show by clear and convincing evidence that they are the parent of the infant. If the court determines that the person is the parent and that granting custody of the infant is in the infant's best interest, the court will issue an order granting custody to the parent. The court may order services for the infant and parent as are in the best interest of the infant.
Source: Iowa Department of Human Service