Connecticut

We are dedicated to saving the lives of precious newborns, WHATEVER IT TAKES, as every life is precious.

We assist the pregnant woman or mother in a compassionate way to receive the help and support she needs.

REMEMBER, It is the Law-the baby MUST be given to a staff member at a Safe Haven facility. Tell them you are leaving the baby with “Safe Haven”.

ANONYMITY -We respect and protect the callers right to anonymity at all times.

MEDICAL HISTORY- Asking for and the mother providing medical history information is optional.

Infant’s Age

Citation: Gen. Stat. § 17a-58

A child who is 30 days old or younger may be relinquished.

Who May Relinquish the Infant

Citation: Gen. Stat. § 17a-58

The child may be relinquished by his or her parent or a lawful agent of the parent.

Who May Receive the Infant

Citation: Gen. Stat. § 17a-57

Each hospital operating an emergency room shall designate all members of the emergency room nursing staff as employees authorized to take physical custody of an infant pursuant to § 17a-58. There shall be a designated employee on duty at each hospital emergency room during regular business hours. There shall be a designated place inside such hospital emergency room where physical custody may be taken.

Responsibilities of the Safe Haven Provider

Citation: Gen. Stat. §§ 17a-58; 17a-59

The designated employee shall take physical custody of any infant age 30 days or younger if the parent or lawful agent of the parent voluntarily surrenders physical custody of the infant unless the parent or agent clearly expresses an intent t o return for the infant. The designated employee may request the parent or agent to provide the name of the parent or agent and information on the medical history of the infant and parents.

The designated employee may provide the parent or agent with a numbered identification bracelet to link the parent or agent to the infant. The bracelet shall be used for identification only and shall not be construed to authorize the person who possesses the bracelet to take custody of the infant on demand. The designated employee shall provide the parent or agent with a pamphlet describing the process of safe relinquishment.

No more than 24 hours after taking physical custody of the infant, the designated employee shall notify the Department of Children and Families of such custody.

Immunity for the Provider

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.

Protection for Relinquishing Parent

Citation: Gen. Stat. §§ 17a-60; 53-23

Information concerning a parent or agent or infant left with a designated employee shall be confidential, except that the provider shall furnish to the Commissioner of Children and Families all medical history information provided by the parent.

Leaving an infant with a safe haven provider is not a violation of the law of child abandonment.

Effect on Parental Rights

Citation: Gen. Stat. §§ 17a-59; 17a-60

TheCommissioner of Children and Families shall assume the care and control of the infant immediately upon receipt of notice and shall take any action authorized under State law to achieve safety and permanency for the infant. Any infant in the care and control of the commissioner under the provisions of this section shall be considered to be in the custody of the department.

If a person claiming to be a parent or agent of an infant left with a designated employee submits a request to the

Commissioner of Children and Families for reunification with the infant, the commissioner may identify, contact, and investigate such person or agent to determine if such reunification is appropriate or if the parental rights of the parent should be terminated.  Possession of a bracelet linking the parent or agent to an infant left with a designated employee if parental rights have not been terminated creates a presumption that the parent or person has standing to participate in a custody hearing for the infant and does not create a presumption of maternity, paternity, or custody.