Surrendering Babies To A Safe Haven
After speaking with the Department of Social Services in York County South Carolina I had to dive deeper and share this heartwarming story. Have you heard of Daniel’s Law? It’s about the Safe Haven for Abandoned Babies Act, that provides a safe option for mom when she makes the determination to surrender her baby anonymously.
Daniel’s Law is named after an infant boy who survived being buried in a landfill soon after his birth. Nurses named him Daniel as he recovered at a hospital, and thus Daniel’s Law was enacted to prevent these kinds of dangerous and often fatal abandonments. How old can a baby be to surrender?
- The law applies to infants up to 60 days old.
- If the baby has been harmed in some way, the immunity from prosecution may not apply.
- A person who abandons a newborn cannot be prosecuted for abandonment if he or she takes the unharmed baby to staff or an employee of a Safe Haven. Safe Havens are defined as a hospital or hospital outpatient facility, law enforcement agencies, fire stations, emergency medical services (EMS) stations, or a house of worship during the time the church or synagogue is staffed. The receiving “safe haven” should complete this form provided by DSS.
- DSS will have legal custody of the child and will place the child in a foster home.
- DSS will immediately pursue family court action to free the child for adoption.
- The hospital will provide medical care and contact DSS.
Visit the official website here.
Now mothers can give their child a chance at a happy, healthy life with a loving family. Learn more.
