Kara Sears
Indiana's Safe Haven Law allows parents to surrender their child anonymously during the first month of the child's life without fear of prosecution. The law aims to prevent abandonment that could lead to injury or death. The law only applies to babies who are 30 days old or younger. The Safe Haven Law was first passed in 2000, and since then, it has been expanded to include baby boxes at hospitals and fire stations. In 2021, amendments were made to the law, allowing parents to call emergency services to pick up their newborn if they cannot drop them at a designated Safe Haven location, such as a police station.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Law Applicability | Applies to babies who are 30 days old or younger |
| Parent's Anonymity | Parents can remain anonymous |
| Child Custody | The child will be taken into custody by the DCS and treated like any other child in state custody |
| Child Reunification | Efforts to locate and reunify the parents with the child are not necessary |
| Child Abuse | Will be investigated by authorities |
| Safe Locations | Fire departments, hospitals, and emergency medical service stations |
| Safe Haven 911 | Parents can call emergency medical services to invoke the safe haven statutes and EMS personnel will come to retrieve the child |
| Baby Boxes | An acceptable option since 2016, with 53 out of 60 nationwide baby boxes located in Indiana |
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What You'll Learn
- Indiana Safe Haven Law allows parents to surrender their infants anonymously at police stations
- The law also permits surrendering infants at hospitals, fire stations, and emergency medical services
- Baby boxes are an alternative to surrendering infants in person
- The Safe Haven Law applies to babies under 30 days old
- Parents can call 911 for emergency services to pick up their newborn if they can't get to a Safe Haven location
Indiana Safe Haven Law allows parents to surrender their infants anonymously at police stations
Indiana's Safe Haven Law enables parents to surrender their infants anonymously and without fear of arrest or prosecution. The law, which was first passed in 2000, applies to babies who are 30 days old or younger and aims to prevent abandonment that could lead to injury or death.
The Safe Haven Law allows for the safe surrender of infants at designated locations, including hospitals, fire stations, and police stations. In 2018, Indiana expanded the law to include baby boxes at hospitals and fire stations with 24/7 emergency medical service (EMS) staffing. These baby boxes provide parents with complete anonymity and are equipped with alarms that alert EMS providers to collect and examine the baby.
While the Safe Haven Law primarily focuses on anonymous surrender, it also offers alternatives to parents in distress. Parents can call the Safe Haven Hotline or 911 to receive counseling and get directions to the nearest designated Safe Haven location. Additionally, in circumstances where parents cannot physically bring the baby to a Safe Haven location, they can invoke the Safe Haven statutes by calling emergency medical services, who will come to retrieve the child while still allowing the parent to remain anonymous.
It is important to note that children taken into custody under the Safe Haven Law are treated like any other child in state custody. However, efforts to locate and reunify the parents with the child are not required. Indiana's Safe Haven Law prioritizes the safety and well-being of infants while providing a confidential option for parents who may be facing challenging circumstances.
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The law also permits surrendering infants at hospitals, fire stations, and emergency medical services
Indiana's Safe Haven Law allows for the anonymous and safe surrender of infants, with the intent of preventing abandonment that could lead to injury or death. The law has been in place for over two decades and permits the surrender of infants 30 days old or younger at designated locations without fear of prosecution.
Hospitals and fire stations are equipped with safe haven baby boxes, two-way devices installed in exterior walls that allow for the anonymous surrender of infants. These boxes are temperature-controlled and programmed with silent alarms to alert first responders. There are over 70 such baby boxes across Indiana.
Upon surrender, emergency medical personnel are required by law to contact the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS), which then assumes custody and care of the infant. DCS treats children taken into custody under the safe haven statute like any other child in state custody, except that efforts to locate and reunify the parents with the child are not necessary.
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Baby boxes are an alternative to surrendering infants in person
Safe Haven Baby Boxes (SHBB) is a non-profit organisation that provides a safe and legal alternative to abandoning newborn babies. SHBB was founded in 2015 by Monica Kelsey, a firefighter and medic from Indiana, who was abandoned as an infant herself. The organisation installs specialised baby boxes at designated secure locations, such as hospitals or fire stations, where parents can safely and anonymously surrender their newborns. This ensures the infants' well-being and reduces the risk of harm or abandonment.
SHBB launched the first baby box in the US in 2016 and received its first surrendered newborn in 2017. The baby boxes are designed with innovative safety features, including an exterior door that locks automatically when a newborn is placed inside, and an interior door that allows medical personnel to promptly and securely retrieve the baby. The baby receives immediate medical attention and is then placed in the care of child protective services.
SHBB has installed 142 baby boxes in eleven states across the US, including Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. The organisation actively collaborates with legislators, healthcare professionals, and community organisations to raise awareness and provide education about the importance of safe surrender options. They also operate a 24-hour hotline for mothers in crisis, offering counselling and providing addresses and directions to the nearest safe haven locations.
While SHBB has been praised for providing a vital resource for mothers and a safe beginning for newborns, there are also concerns about the safety and effectiveness of baby boxes. Critics argue that they may discourage mothers from seeking medical assistance during labour and that they could be used to conceal crimes such as human trafficking, incest, or rape. Some also believe that baby boxes allow people to surrender children without the parent's consent. However, advocates of baby boxes emphasise that they offer a safe and anonymous alternative for parents who may not feel comfortable with face-to-face contact when surrendering their infants.
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The Safe Haven Law applies to babies under 30 days old
Indiana's Safe Haven Law allows for the anonymous surrender of an infant under 30 days old without fear of arrest or prosecution. This law was established to prevent infant deaths due to abandonment, as parents or guardians can anonymously give up their babies at hospitals, fire stations, or police stations without facing legal consequences. The law applies to any parent, family member, friend, minister or priest, social worker, or responsible person wishing to give up custody of a baby less than 30 days old.
The law is designed to streamline the adoption process and reduce the time babies spend in foster care. It also aims to prevent infant deaths by providing a safe alternative to abandonment. Baby boxes have been installed at various locations, including fire stations and hospitals, allowing for the anonymous surrender of infants. These boxes are two-way, with doors on both the exterior and interior of the building.
When a baby is surrendered, they are examined and provided with any necessary medical treatment. Once cleared, the Indiana Department of Child Services takes custody of the infant and places them with a caregiver. While no information is required from the person surrendering the child, any knowledge of the baby's date of birth, race, parent medical history, or health is appreciated and can be useful to the caregiver.
It is important to note that the Safe Haven Law only applies to babies under 30 days old and who show no signs of intentional abuse or neglect. This law ensures that distressed parents or guardians can make a difficult decision without fear of legal repercussions and that the baby will be safely placed in the care of the Indiana Department of Child Services.
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Parents can call 911 for emergency services to pick up their newborn if they can't get to a Safe Haven location
Indiana's Safe Haven Law allows parents to anonymously give up custody of their newborn child without repercussions. The law provides parents with the option to drop off their newborn at designated Safe Haven locations, including hospitals, fire stations, and police stations.
In recognition of the fact that parents may face challenges in reaching these designated locations, Indiana has taken a leading stance by allowing parents to call 911 for emergency services to pick up their newborn if they cannot get to a Safe Haven location. This provision ensures that parents still have a safe and anonymous way to surrender their newborn even if they are unable to travel to a designated site.
The Indiana Safe Haven Law offers baby boxes at fire departments and hospitals as an alternative method for parents to give up custody of their newborn anonymously. These baby boxes are located at emergency staff facilities and are equipped with alarms that notify someone to collect the baby once a baby is placed inside. As of 2021, Indiana had 53 out of the 60 baby boxes available nationwide.
It is important to note that the Safe Haven Law prioritizes the baby's well-being and provides medical attention to the newborn before allowing child services to take custody. The law is designed to prevent child maltreatment and infant abuse by offering a safe alternative for parents who may be distressed or unable to care for their child.
If parents find themselves in a situation where they need to utilize the Safe Haven Law, they can call the Safe Haven Hotline at 1-877-796-HOPE (4673) or 2-1-1 to receive counseling and get addresses and directions for hospitals, fire stations, or police stations in Indiana. Additionally, they can visit the National Safe Haven Alliance website or call 1-800-CHILDREN for more information on parenting topics and resources.
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Frequently asked questions
The Indiana Safe Haven Law enables a person to give up their infant safely, anonymously, and without fear of arrest or prosecution. The law only applies to babies who are 30 days old or younger.
A baby can be surrendered at designated "Safe Haven" locations, including hospitals, fire stations, and police stations. In 2018, Indiana also allowed for baby boxes at hospitals and fire stations with 24/7 emergency medical service staffing.
A baby box is an incubator in which an infant can be safely surrendered. Baby boxes provide parents with complete anonymity and are equipped with alarms that alert EMS providers to come and examine the baby.
If a parent cannot make it to a designated Safe Haven location, they can call 911 and emergency responders will come to them to retrieve the baby. The adult calling for services must stay with the child until responders arrive, but they may remain anonymous.
