Safe Haven for Newborns FAQ
Summit County Children Services provides emergency child care services for babies left at designated Safe Havens. Learn about Ohio’s Safe Havens for Newborns law by reading the questions and answers below.
Not all women who get pregnant are ready to raise a child. Sometimes they see no option other than to abandon the baby. Safe Havens provide a safe option. It allows a birth parent to leave a newborn infant (less than 30 days old) with:
- A medical worker in a hospital;
- A medical worker at a fire department or other emergency service organization; or
- An officer at a law enforcement agency.
If the infant is left with a person at one of these places and has not been abused, the parent will face no legal consequences for making this choice.
The birth parent (mother or father) can take a child to a Safe Haven. The law provides protection from prosecution only for the child’s parents.
No. A birth parent may take a newborn to a Safe Haven at any time until the child is 30 days old.
The birth parent is not required to provide any information, including his or her name. However, it would help the baby if the birth parent chose to provide basic health information. The birth parent will be offered a form to guide them in providing the most important health information.
If the baby needs medical attention, it will be provided. The professional staff person who accepts the baby will contact the county children services agency; and the baby will be placed in an adoptive home. There are many families who want to adopt a baby. When a parent cannot care for an infant, leaving the baby at a Safe Haven may be the best choice for the child. If the birth parent is not sure about this decision, an adoption social worker can help by providing information on available options and services for birth parents and their babies.
Any birth parent who wants to raise a baby but doesn’t know how may view the resources at the Help Me Grow website or call the Help Me Grow hotline to get information about caring for and raising children.
Online at: HELP ME GROWToll Free: 1-800-755-4769.