Safe Haven

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History of Safe Haven Safe Haven started as the baby Mosses law in Texas in September Safe Haven started as the baby Mosses law in Texas in September During that year in Texas there were 13 abandoned infants that were found within a year. 3 of those infants died. During that year in Texas there were 13 abandoned infants that were found within a year. 3 of those infants died. Since then 45 out of the 50 states have some form of Safe Haven Laws. Since then 45 out of the 50 states have some form of Safe Haven Laws.

Premise of Safe Haven In theory Safe Haven sites are supposed to be used instead of infants being left abandoned in a unsafe environment. Infants can be taken to a Safe Haven site where the child will be safe and not placed at harm. In theory Safe Haven sites are supposed to be used instead of infants being left abandoned in a unsafe environment. Infants can be taken to a Safe Haven site where the child will be safe and not placed at harm. Parent or parents of the infant that is left will not have to give out any personal information and they can be totally anonymous. Parent or parents of the infant that is left will not have to give out any personal information and they can be totally anonymous. There is also a component that parents who give up their infant at a Safe Haven site will be less likely to be charged with any crime if the infant is delivered to a Safe Haven site safely. There is also a component that parents who give up their infant at a Safe Haven site will be less likely to be charged with any crime if the infant is delivered to a Safe Haven site safely. (Appell, 2002) (Appell, 2002)

Safe Haven Places Hospitals Hospitals Police Stations Police Stations Fire Stations Fire Stations Child Welfare agencies Child Welfare agencies In Wisconsin call 911 and someone will come to pick up child In Wisconsin call 911 and someone will come to pick up child

Ages for Safe Haven The ages of children to be placed in Safe Haven site range from newborn to 30 days The ages of children to be placed in Safe Haven site range from newborn to 30 days North Dakota you have up to a year North Dakota you have up to a year One state, Nebraska, had a different approach……. One state, Nebraska, had a different approach…….

Nebraska In the Original Law in Nebraska a parent was able to hand over any child under the age of 18. In the Original Law in Nebraska a parent was able to hand over any child under the age of 18. In that year by November there were 36 children that were dropped off at hospitals. In that year by November there were 36 children that were dropped off at hospitals. 35 of the children were between 10 to 17. One was under the age of of the children were between 10 to 17. One was under the age of 5. One year later their law changed to infants up to 30 days old. One year later their law changed to infants up to 30 days old.

Effects on children and adoptive parents Adopted children from a Safe Haven possibly may not have any medical information from their biological parent. Adopted children from a Safe Haven possibly may not have any medical information from their biological parent. Adopted child may want to try to find their biological parent and there is no information regarding that parent. Adopted child may want to try to find their biological parent and there is no information regarding that parent. Adopted child does not have knowledge of their origin, background or identity of parents. Adopted child does not have knowledge of their origin, background or identity of parents. Adoptive parent fear that adopted childs stability later on in life due to not having any information regarding childs background. Adoptive parent fear that adopted childs stability later on in life due to not having any information regarding childs background. (Appell, 2002) (Appell, 2002)

Problems with Safe Haven (Target Population) Safe Haven Laws are trying to target parents that abandon their child in unsafe places. This population may have other factors that may influence their decision not use a Safe Haven: Safe Haven Laws are trying to target parents that abandon their child in unsafe places. This population may have other factors that may influence their decision not use a Safe Haven: Women in Denial or trying to conceal their pregnancy. Women in Denial or trying to conceal their pregnancy. Unwanted pregnancies Unwanted pregnancies Financial issues Financial issues Absence of childs father Absence of childs father Fear of family disapproval Fear of family disapproval Emotional distress Emotional distress

Problems with Safe Haven (Public Awareness) Some of the more high risk populations like high school students and young adults may not be getting information regarding Safe Haven. Some of the more high risk populations like high school students and young adults may not be getting information regarding Safe Haven. There is a lack of funding for education programs. There is a lack of funding for education programs. 50% of states with Safe Haven Laws have either vetoed funding for Safe Haven education or have no legislation how to implement the law 50% of states with Safe Haven Laws have either vetoed funding for Safe Haven education or have no legislation how to implement the law Professionals who receive infants under the Safe Haven law may not be fully informed about law and may not be able to give accurate information to biological parent Professionals who receive infants under the Safe Haven law may not be fully informed about law and may not be able to give accurate information to biological parent (Kunkel, 2007) (Kunkel, 2007)

Problems with Safe Haven (Termination Parental of Rights) Problems with trying to serve notice to biological parents for court hearings (in a state where it is required) Problems with trying to serve notice to biological parents for court hearings (in a state where it is required) Problems with how to contact biological father. Problems with how to contact biological father. Not enough clarity regarding judicial procedures could cause a delay in permanency for child (Appell, 2002) Not enough clarity regarding judicial procedures could cause a delay in permanency for child (Appell, 2002)

What States are doing to try to get absentee parent information Some states use putative father registry before parental termination of rights can be filed. Utah gives notice to all fathers listed on the registry. Some states use putative father registry before parental termination of rights can be filed. Utah gives notice to all fathers listed on the registry. 13 states contact law enforcement to make sure child has not been reported missing. 13 states contact law enforcement to make sure child has not been reported missing. 5 states have steps in place for non- relinquishing father to petition for custody of the child. 5 states have steps in place for non- relinquishing father to petition for custody of the child

Child Welfare Information Gateway This website has a PDF resource called Infant Safe Haven Laws. This website has a PDF resource called Infant Safe Haven Laws. This resource has a summary of all the states that have Safe Haven Laws which include how old an infant can be, laws regarding the relinquishing parent, and how parental rights are affected. This resource has a summary of all the states that have Safe Haven Laws which include how old an infant can be, laws regarding the relinquishing parent, and how parental rights are affected

National Safe Haven Alliance Website gives a brief history of Safe Haven Has a state locator that gives information where to take and infant and how old infant needs to be Link to state statutes Public service announcements Stories of Safe Haven children e.org e.org

What are Other States Doing Regarding Safe Haven Law Fast track for termination to adoption for Safe Haven children Fast track for termination to adoption for Safe Haven children Safe Haven relinquishments equal termination of parental rights. Safe Haven relinquishments equal termination of parental rights. 20 states have a plan in place for a specified amount of time for parents to reclaim their child. 20 states have a plan in place for a specified amount of time for parents to reclaim their child

What about Ohio Once a child is at a Safe Haven that child is placed in the custody of the child welfare agency in that county. Once a child is at a Safe Haven that child is placed in the custody of the child welfare agency in that county. Parents have 30 days to come back in regards to their child. Parents have 30 days to come back in regards to their child. Parent has the right to remain anonymous Parent has the right to remain anonymous Parent is asked about medical information about the child and the parent Parent is asked about medical information about the child and the parent If child has an injury that appears to be abuse and neglect an attempt will be made to identify the parent. They are not free from being charged criminally. If child has an injury that appears to be abuse and neglect an attempt will be made to identify the parent. They are not free from being charged criminally. Child can be placed at a hospital, police or fire station. Other places may be designated in your area. Child can be placed at a hospital, police or fire station. Other places may be designated in your area.

Online Resource for Ohio Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Safe Haven for Newborns Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Safe Haven for Newborns Website talks about what is a safe haven. Website talks about what is a safe haven. Has the medical information form for parents that want to relinquish their child Has the medical information form for parents that want to relinquish their child There is also a PDF brochure giving more information regarding Safe Haven There is also a PDF brochure giving more information regarding Safe Haven jfs.ohio.gov\safehaven jfs.ohio.gov\safehaven

Is Safe Haven Effective There is no evidence based information that Safe Haven is effective. There is no evidence based information that Safe Haven is effective. Not all states gather data about the number of abandoned children or how many infants are turned in under Safe Haven. (Last count seen was 2001) Not all states gather data about the number of abandoned children or how many infants are turned in under Safe Haven. (Last count seen was 2001) Safe Haven may not be able to help women who are involved in neonaticide (death of their infant child) or leaving their child in an unsafe place due to other factors they may face and may not think of Safe Haven as an option. (Hatters et al, 2008) Safe Haven may not be able to help women who are involved in neonaticide (death of their infant child) or leaving their child in an unsafe place due to other factors they may face and may not think of Safe Haven as an option. (Hatters et al, 2008)

Babble Blog website that has information regarding Safe Haven Blog website that has information regarding Safe Haven Has several news related stories regarding Safe Haven, some good and some bad Has several news related stories regarding Safe Haven, some good and some bad

References Appell, A.R. (2002). Safe Havens to Abandon Babies, Part I: The Law. Adoption Quarterly, 5 (4), /J145v05n04_04 Appell, A.R. (2002). Safe Havens to Abandon Babies, Part II: The Fit. Adoption Quarterly, 6(1), /J145v06n01_06 Appell, A.R. (2002). Safe Havens to Abandon Babies, Part III: The Affects. Adoption Quarterly, 6(2), /J145v06n02_06

Articles There was only one article that did a good job of explaining the different aspects of Safe Haven There was only one article that did a good job of explaining the different aspects of Safe Haven Annette R. Appell, Safe Haven to Abandon Babies, Part I, II, and III Annette R. Appell, Safe Haven to Abandon Babies, Part I, II, and III Found in Adoption Quarterly Volumes 5 and 6 in 2002 Found in Adoption Quarterly Volumes 5 and 6 in 2002

References (continued) Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2010) Infant Safe Haven Laws: Summary of State Laws. Retrieved from Gustavsson, N.S., MacEachron, A.E. (2011) Lessons from Nebraska. Social Work, 56(2), Hatters Friedman, S., Resnick,P.J. (2008).Neonaticide: Phenomenology and considerations for prevention. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 32(2009), doi: /j.ijlp

References (continued) Heath, C., Catlin, A. (2005). American Alternative for Unwanted Infants. Pediatric Nursing, 31(3), 229. Kunkel, K.A. (2007). Safe Haven Laws Focus on Abandoned Newborns and Their Mothers. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 22 (5), Doi: /j.pedn National Conference of State Legislatures. (2003) Child Welfare Project, Update: Safe Havens for Abandoned Infants. Retrieved from