2 The Challenge Over 100 babies are abandoned each year in Texas. About 16 will be found dead. An unknown number of murdered babies are never found.

The Solution A Texas law provides a responsible alternative to mothers who might otherwise abandon, harm or murder a newborn child. It states that a parent may leave an unharmed infant, up to 60 days old, at any designated hospital or fire station with “no questions asked.” This law is nicknamed the "The Baby Moses Law."

Community Responsibility Under Texas law all Texas emergency medical services providers (including hospitals and most fire stations) are “designated emergency infant care providers” for these abandoned babies. In addition, “Each designated emergency infant care provider shall post in a conspicuous location a notice stating that the provider is a designated emergency infant care provider location and will accept possession of a child.”

Standardized Texas Sign

Law requires that signs be placed in a conspicuous location

Baby Moses Dallas Since the legislature provided no funds to publicize this law, privately funded non- profit groups in every metropolitan area in Texas have instituted public awareness campaigns. In Dallas County this group is called Baby Moses Dallas.

Dallas Organization The Baby Moses Dallas organization was established as an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) organization to provide free signage and educational materials to fire stations and hospitals in Dallas County and to educate the public about the law. It is funded by individual donations.

Dallas Primary Goals To educate the public about the Baby Moses/Safe Haven law so that mothers can make a responsible decision that will be “a choice for you and a chance for your baby.” To provide signage at no cost to all state- designated Safe Haven sites in Dallas County. (We’ve also provided signs to surrounding counties who’ve requested them.)

Additional Goals Provide posters for Safe Baby Sites to inform personnel there how to handle an abandoned baby. Print and distribute posters and brochures (English and Spanish) aimed at young women for distribution to schools, libraries, recreation centers, clinics and other public places. We have created and are distributing Public Service Announcements (PSAs) to television stations (in English and Spanish and in DVD and Beta formats). A radio PSA is in the works. Publicize the Baby Moses Law in other forums, such as at community events, schools, churches, etc.

Poster for Safe Haven Sites

When a Baby is Delivered to the Site Receive an unharmed infant that appears to be under 60 days old. Medically stabilize the infant if needed. Transport to a hospital if needed. Offer the parent medical treatment and voluntary medical disclosure form. Contact Child Protective Services as quickly as possible or

The voluntary medical disclosure form can be anonymously returned to the city by mail (include a stamped, addressed envelope). Also available in Spanish.

How you can help… Put brochures in public areas…

Worksheets are available that teach the Baby Moses law.

Posters inform the public about the Baby Moses law.

With your help, we can spread the news. (Parkland presentation)

Please help save this baby.

Contact Information Alan Elliott, Executive Director Ed Spencer, Media Contact Patsy Summey, Project Coordinator Vivian Skinner, Development Director or