“moms in crisis should know it’s completely anonymous and in the best interests of the child”
Live Action News
Safe Haven laws save lives. Heartbreaking stories occasionally make headlines, of newborn infants abandoned and left to die — in bathrooms, in garbage cans, in sewers — because desperate mothers felt they had no other choice. But in Florida, one baby is still alive after a mother took advantage of the state’s safe haven law.
A mother approached a fire station in Davie, Florida, with her hours-old baby wrapped in a towel. The baby, a girl, weighed about six pounds and is said to be in good condition. The little girl will be placed for adoption, and the mother was able to safely surrender her baby and remain anonymous, with no questions asked and no repercussions. Battalion Chief Daniel Moran praised her for choosing to safely surrender her baby, saying that “moms in crisis should know it’s completely anonymous and in the best interests of the child” to bring newborns to authorities if they aren’t able to take care of them.
READ: Baby saved from abandonment after mother surrenders child under Safe Haven Law
In Florida, mothers can bring their newborn to any hospital, emergency medical service station, or fire station, and surrender custody to any emergency medical technician, paramedic, or firefighter, and remain anonymous without any charges filed. The baby will then be taken to the hospital to receive medical care, and will be placed for adoption. Any medical problems needing treatment will be covered, as the state assumes the baby is eligible for Medicaid, and therefore will receive coverage. The baby will not be deemed as “abandoned,” as this would open the mother to investigation.
Almost every single state has some variation of a safe haven law, although some states — like California and Minnesota — are much stricter, limiting the places and the amount of time a mother can surrender her baby. Baby boxes are also a growing trend, started by firefighter Monika Kelsey, herself abandoned as an infant. In an interview with Live Action, she explained why baby boxes and safe haven laws are so important:
The Safe Haven Law, also called the Baby Moses Law in some states, is in effect in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The law is in place to protect all parties involved. In most states, a woman has 30 days after birth to safely surrender the child at any fire station, police station, or hospital with no questions asked.
A mother approached a fire station in Davie, Florida, with her hours-old baby wrapped in a towel. The baby, a girl, weighed about six pounds and is said to be in good condition. The little girl will be placed for adoption, and the mother was able to safely surrender her baby and remain anonymous, with no questions asked and no repercussions. Battalion Chief Daniel Moran praised her for choosing to safely surrender her baby, saying that “moms in crisis should know it’s completely anonymous and in the best interests of the child” to bring newborns to authorities if they aren’t able to take care of them.
READ: Baby saved from abandonment after mother surrenders child under Safe Haven Law
In Florida, mothers can bring their newborn to any hospital, emergency medical service station, or fire station, and surrender custody to any emergency medical technician, paramedic, or firefighter, and remain anonymous without any charges filed. The baby will then be taken to the hospital to receive medical care, and will be placed for adoption. Any medical problems needing treatment will be covered, as the state assumes the baby is eligible for Medicaid, and therefore will receive coverage. The baby will not be deemed as “abandoned,” as this would open the mother to investigation.
Almost every single state has some variation of a safe haven law, although some states — like California and Minnesota — are much stricter, limiting the places and the amount of time a mother can surrender her baby. Baby boxes are also a growing trend, started by firefighter Monika Kelsey, herself abandoned as an infant. In an interview with Live Action, she explained why baby boxes and safe haven laws are so important:
The Safe Haven Law, also called the Baby Moses Law in some states, is in effect in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The law is in place to protect all parties involved. In most states, a woman has 30 days after birth to safely surrender the child at any fire station, police station, or hospital with no questions asked.
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Pregnant, need help or know someone who does?
National Hotline: Call 1-800-712-HELP or Text 'HELPLINE' to 313131.
In Southeast Penna: Call the Community Women's Center at 215-826-8090
If you or someone you know is suffering after abortion, confidential non-judgmental help is available. Call Project Rachel's national toll-free number 888-456-HOPE (4673) or visit hopeafterabortion.org.
Pregnant, need help or know someone who does?
National Hotline: Call 1-800-712-HELP or Text 'HELPLINE' to 313131.
In Southeast Penna: Call the Community Women's Center at 215-826-8090
If you or someone you know is suffering after abortion, confidential non-judgmental help is available. Call Project Rachel's national toll-free number 888-456-HOPE (4673) or visit hopeafterabortion.org.
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