The Safe Haven Law

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The Safe Haven Law

• Illinois Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act

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No Shame, No Blame, No Names

• You're afraid.  You don't want to keep this
  baby.  You just want someone to take it, keep it
  safe, and make sure it gets a good home.
• Don't panic.  There are people who will help you
  with NO QUESTIONS ASKED.
• Give your baby a chance!
• 24 hour/day hotline [phone]

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Overview

• In 2001 Illinois passed the Abandoned Newborn
  Infant Protection Act, known as a Safe Haven
  law. This law provides a safe and legal
  alternative to unsafe infant abandonment.
• An unharmed baby up to 30 days old may be
  relinquished to personnel at any Illinois Safe
  Haven - All hospitals, police stations, staffed
  fire stations, sheriff offices, and emergency
  medical care facilities are designated Safe
  Havens.

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• By handing your unharmed newborn to personnel at
  any Safe Haven, you can walk away with no
  questions asked.
• The baby will be cared for and placed in a loving
  home for adoption.
• You will be offered an information packet with a
  medical history form you can submit later, and
  information on your rights.

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• This law provides an alternative to abandonment
  for parents who feel they cannot cope with a
  newborn baby. It offers a Safe Haven for
  newborns, and is
• Private No one will ask your name.
• Legal You will not be breaking any laws.
• Safe Your baby will be given medical
  care and placed in a good home.

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Adoption

• Every child deserves a safe, loving, permanent
  home. You can make plans to have your baby
  adopted even before giving birth.
• For more information on adoption
• Call the Illinois Adoption Registry
  1-877-323-5299 (a free call in Illinois)

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• What happens at a Safe Haven?
• Once the unharmed baby is handed to personnel at
  a Safe Haven, the parent is free to leave. No
  names need to be given, no questions asked.
• The newborn will be taken to the nearest hospital
  and will receive an exam, any needed medical
  care, and be adopted by a loving family.

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• What happens after I leave?
• DCFS will check a missing children registry, the
  Illinois Putative Fathers Registry, and then
  contact an adoption agency.
• Safely relinquished newborns rarely go into the
  foster care system they are usually placed
  within hours with a loving family waiting to
  adopt.

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• What about the baby's medical history?
• A packet is offered to the parent and may be
  filled out immediately or mailed in later.
  Providing this information is voluntary, but
  helpful to the infant and the adoptive family.
• Information may be given about the infant
  anonymously at any time.

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medical history cont..

• The packet also contains information on how to
  receive counseling (if desired) as well as
  information about the Illinois Adoption Registry
  and Medical Information Exchange.
• It includes a contact number to call if a parent
  changes their mind about relinquishing the
  infant.

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• Who will help me?
• Safe Havens may offer medical care and counseling
  services. Hospital staff members are trained to
  help make sure you understand your rights and
  options. If you do not want these services, you
  may simply walk away.
• If you want to talk to someone now, you can call
  the Save Abandoned Babies Foundation
  (1-312-440-0229) from 900 a.m. to 500 p.m.).
  We are here to help.

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• What about the father's rights?
• The Putative Fathers' Registry will be searched
  to identify a putative father after a newborn
  infant has been relinquished.
• Notice will be given to any potential putative
  father discovered in a search of the registry.

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Can I change my mind?

• Yes. The Act allows the parent 60 days to
  reclaim their infant, subject to counseling and
  an inquiry by DCFS.
• A relinquishing parent may petition the court
  within the first 60 days in an effort to regain
  parental rights. After 60 days, a petition to
  terminate parental rights is filed.

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• What if the newborn is over 30 days old or
  there is evidence of abuse?
• The infant and parent(s) do not qualify for
  this Act, and all existing laws and procedures
  remain in effect. The parent(s) could be
  investigated and charged with any applicable
  statutory violations.

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• Why did Illinois pass this Act?  
• It reduces the risk that a newborn will be
  abandoned in a dangerous environment that may
  result in injury or death, and it protects
  parents who relinquish their unharmed newborn to
  a Safe Haven from prosecution.

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• How often does this happen?
• According to DCFS, 32 to 34 infants were found
  abandoned each year from 1997-1999. Of these,
  approximately 20 infants were abandoned in the
  first 24 hours of life.
• According to a CNN review of FBI statistics,
  nearly five infants under the age of one are
  killed in the U.S. each week.

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• Does this law encourage abandonment?
• No. The mother is encouraged to talk to
  someone even before the baby is born and is
  encouraged to either keep the baby or to go
  through normal channels of the adoption process.
  She also is encouraged to seek prenatal care.

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• How will people know about this law?
• This Act requires DCFS to do public awareness
  campaigns throughout Illinois.
• The Save Abandoned Babies Foundation helps
  promote awareness of this life-saving alternative
  to unsafe infant abandonment.

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YOU can help too!

• Create an awareness campaign for your school
• Share this information with family and friends
• Create a YOU Tube video clip email the link
  to us and well list it on our website
• Write an editorial for your local newspaper,
  church bulletin, or school newspaper

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Timeline

• 2001
• The Safe Haven Act signed into law 8/17/2001
• From February through the end of the year, three
  newborns were abandoned unsafely of those, one
  died.

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• 2002 
• The focus turned to raising public awareness and
  the Act began to show results. 
• Eight babies were illegally abandoned, four died.
   Two  babies were safely and legally relinquished
  under the Act.

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• 2003
• The Governor proclaimed April 4 as Save Abandoned
  Babies Day. 
• Seven babies were illegally abandoned five
  died.  Three babies were safely and legally
  relinquished.

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• 2004
• The law was amended, adding police stations as a
  designated Safe Haven location. 
• 11 babies were illegally abandoned, five of them,
  dead.  Six babies were safely and legally
  relinquished.

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• 2005
• Legislators removed the Sunset Clause, making the
  Safe Haven Act a permanent law in Illinois.
• 12 babies were illegally abandoned five died. 
  Nine babies were safely and legally relinquished.

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• 2006
• Illinois School Code amended to require the Safe
  Haven Act be included in all school comprehensive
  health education classes. 
• Four babies illegally abandoned, two of those
  babies found dead, and eight legally
  relinquished.

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• A Teacher's Kit was produced by the Save
  Abandoned Babies Foundation (download free at
  www.SaveAbandonedBabies.org) to help teachers
  incorporate this life-saving information into
  their curriculum.
• The Kit covers the basics of the law, provides
  suggested curriculum, offers interdisciplinary
  teaching extensions, wallet cards for students,
  and helpful resource listings.

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• 2007
• Legislation signed on August 17th mandates a
  uniform Safe Haven sign to be displayed at all
  designated Safe Havens state wide. 
• Ten safe and legal relinquishments, four unsafe
  abandonments with one dead.

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• 2008
• Alaska and Nebraska sign Safe Haven laws. Every
  state now has a law!
• Ten safe and legal relinquishments, five unsafe
  abandonments with 3 not surviving.

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2009 August 12, 2009 Governor Quinn signs HB3925
into law. This extends the time a parent has to
relinquish their unharmed newborn from 7 days to
a full 30 days.
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Newly mandated uniform signs must now be
displayed by all Illinois Safe Havens.
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Resources

• In partnership with the Department of
  Children and Family Services (DCFS), the Save
  Abandoned Babies Foundation offers the following
  resources
• Posters, brochures, information cards
• An informational website www.SaveAbandonedBabies.
  org
• Teachers Kit

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Posters and brochures are available at no cost
through the Save Abandoned Babies Foundation or
DCFS
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Double-sided cards are available at no cost
through the Save Abandoned Babies Foundation or
DCFS
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These posters were designed to bring attention to
the newly mandated Safe Haven signs.
Posters, cards, and brochures are available at no
cost through the Save Abandoned Babies Foundation
and DCFS
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About Us

• The Save Abandoned Babies Foundation is an
  all-volunteer 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to
  promoting awareness of the Illinois Safe Haven
  law.
• More information is available by visiting our
  website at www.SaveAbandonedBabies.org.

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• For more information on the Illinois Safe Haven
• law, or to order print materials, please visit
• www.SaveAbandonedBabies.org or email
• info_at_SaveAbandonedBabies.org.
• All inquiries are confidential.