Courageous Teen Mom Changes Her Mind After Considering Safe Haven: “I can do this, I can raise a baby.”

“This is what love looks like, walking with the broken and allowing Jesus to do what He does.”

By Katie Franklin
National Right to Life

It was 8 p.m. when a hotline call lit up the phone of Heather Burner, executive director of the National Safe Haven Alliance, in late August.

“Madison,” the scared, young girl on the other end of the phone, was nine months pregnant, expecting to deliver her baby within just a couple weeks, and did not feel she had the resources or support to parent her child.

Still in high school and with a boyfriend who told her to choose “him or the baby,” Madison was at a loss for what to do. Finding a designated “Safe Haven” location for her soon-to-be newborn son seemed like her only choice.

Since 1999, Safe Haven laws across the U.S. have allowed mothers to hand their babies to hospital staff or other law enforcement personnel anonymously, depending on the state. Burner’s organization, the National Safe Haven Alliance (NSHA), exists to increase awareness of the Safe Haven option as a preferred alternative to unsafe abandonment. But Burner says their first hope is to keep mothers and babies together.

After establishing a sense of trust with Madison, Burner was able to help do just that.

“One baby, one momma, one lost soul at a time.”

As Burner provided Safe Haven information over the phone, she asked if Madison would be willing to discuss other options. Reluctantly, Madison agreed to speak with pregnancy help center staff and an adoption counselor.

“I was able to establish a small amount of trust that allowed me to remain in contact with the young mother in hopes that by standing beside her and listening to her fears, she would not feel as alone,” Burner said.

 “The mission of NSHA is to walk beside a woman or parent that is in the most frightening and desperate situations, encouraging them by removing the fear and providing the glimpses of hope that come along with information and love.”

Working with a statewide Safe Haven non-profit group from Madison’s home state, Burner was able to connect with local resources, including a pregnancy help center and adoption agency.

But even after considering her options, Madison still felt that Safe Haven was the only choice for her. Fortunately, she kept in intermittent contact with Burner, updating her on her situation and seeking further advice.

As Burner encouraged Madison to talk to her family, Burner finally received a much hoped for text. Madison had spoken with her mother and sister about the large decision that had been weighing on her mind. To her relief, her family stepped up, offering her the acceptance and support she needed to actually consider raising her child for the first time.

As for her boyfriend’s ultimatum, she now felt empowered to choose her baby, leaving him behind.

One week later, Burner’s cell phone pinged again, this time with a photo attached.

“There was the picture of a brand new miracle,” Burner said. “A baby boy, perfect in all the snuggly ways, the precious blessing that had been there all along.”

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