The National Safe Haven Alliance is celebrating Safe Haven Month in April, announcing that laws in all 50 states aimed at ending infant abandonment have contributed to saving the lives of 4,510 newborns since 1999.
Indiana’s safe haven law passed in 2001 allows a mother in crisis who is unable or unwilling to care for her newborn to safely relinquish her unharmed baby to an emergency medical provider at a hospital, staffed fire department, law enforcement agency, or by contacting 911. All are safe haven providers in Indiana.
National Safe Haven Alliance representative Sherry Foushee said that since the law passed in Indiana, 72 newborns have been relinquished to qualified providers, an average of three or four each year.
“Our hearts are full today because of the children that are bringing joy to this world because of the safety provided by Safe Haven laws. Anonymous placement allows a parent in crisis to consider the alternatives to abandoning their infant,” Foushee said. “Safe Baby Haven leaders across the country have worked to support and provide the resources needed to help a mother or parent in their critical time of need.
“Not only has this law saved many lives, this option has helped connect thousands of parents to resources for parenting their child, temporary placement, or traditional adoption,” Foushee said.
Birth parents remain anonymous under the program, and trained experts are available to help on a national 24/7 telephone helpline, 888-510-BABY. “Confidential and caring support is provided, and the love and care given to each parent is vital to the outcome for both mother and their baby,” Foushee said. More information is also available at www.nationalsafehavenalliance.org.
While the program has been successful, Foushee said it’s evident that greater awareness of Indiana’s Safe Haven law is needed. While 72 newborns have been saved since the law was in effect, 41 newborns were illegally abandoned during the same time period. Of these, 19 had died when they were found.
“If we could get all to know about how many providers are out there to help these mothers in crisis, we would have no problem with infant mortality in this state,” Foushee said.
