The following calls are to be expeditiously forwarded to and handled by Nick Silverio, Founder at 786-413-2570.
· All calls regarding A Safe Haven for Newborns in Florida, except for basic needs.
· Hiding their pregnancy…Anonymity issues
· If the law does not grant anonymity
· Unsure of what to do…the Safe Haven option vs Adoption
· Assistance navigating thru
the entire pregnancy
· Wanting to utilize the Safe Haven option
· Process to reclaim a newborn left at a Safe Haven facility
· Adoption issues
· Requesting signage/decals/collateral materials
· For Safe Haven facilities personnel
only…Safe Haven for Newborns Web based Certification is offered to all 50 states, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Please
encourage their participation and connect them to Nick Silverio, Founder at 786-413-2570……safehaven@asafehavenfornewborns.com.........www.asafehavenfornewborns.com
· Caller is interested in volunteer opportunities or donating to A Safe Haven for Newborns.
· Any other question(s), issues not previously addressed or when in doubt.
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.
|
SAFE
HAVEN PROVIDERS: HOSPITAL EMS PROVIDER FIRE STATION WORSHIP CENTER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY (MUST BE LEFT WITH A STAFF MEMBER) |
AGE: 30
DAYS OR YOUNGER |
ANONYMITY AND LEGAL PROTECTION GRANTED |
Revised Statutes 216B.190; 405.075 & 620.350
Infant’s Age
Citation: Rev. Stat. §§ 216B.190; 405.075
A newborn infant may be surrendered to a safe haven provider. The term ‘newborn infant’ means an infant who is medically determined to be less than 30 days or younger.
Who May Relinquish the Infant
Citation: Rev. Stat. §§ 216B.190; 405.075
A newborn infant may be surrendered by a parent or any person who leaves the infant with a safe haven provider and expresses an intent to leave the infant and not return.
Who May Receive the Infant
Citation: Rev. Stat. §§ 216B.190; 405.075
Safe haven providers include hospitals, emergency medical services providers, police stations, worship center and fire stations.
Responsibilities of the Safe Haven
Provider
Citation: Rev. Stat. §§ 216B.190; 405.075
Any emergency medical services provider, police officer, or firefighter who accepts physical custody of a newborn infant shall immediately arrange for the infant to be taken to the nearest hospital emergency room and shall have implied consent to any and all appropriate medical treatment.
Every hospital that offers emergency services shall admit and provide all necessary medical care, diagnostic tests, and medical treatment to any newborn infant brought to the hospital when the identity of the parents is unknown.
Upon admittance, the physician or hospital administrator shall immediately contact the local office of the Department for Community Based Services. The Department for Community Based Services shall immediately seek an emergency custody order in accordance with § 620.350.
Every emergency room shall make available materials to gather health and medical information concerning the infant and the parents. The materials shall be offered to the person leaving the newborn infant, and it shall be clearly stated that acceptance is completely voluntary and that completion of the materials may be done anonymously. The provisions of this section shall not apply when indicators of child physical abuse or child neglect are present.
Immunity for the Provider
Citation: Rev.
Stat. § 216B.190
Any person performing medical care, diagnostic testing, or medical treatment shall be immune from criminal or civil liability for having performed the act. Nothing in this subsection shall limit liability for negligence.
Protection for Relinquishing
Parent
Citation: Rev. Stat. §§ 405.075; 620.350
A parent who surrenders a newborn infant shall have the right to remain anonymous and
not be pursued and shall not be considered to have abandoned or endangered the newborn infant.
No child protective services investigation or assessment shall be initiated regarding the abandonment of an infant. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply when indicators of child physical abuse or child neglect are present.
Effect on Parental Rights
Citation: Rev. Stat. §§ 405.075; 620.350
By placing a newborn infant in the manner described in this section, the parent:
• Waives the right to
notification required by subsequent court proceedings until such time as a claim of parental rights is made
• Waives legal standing to make a claim of action against any person who accepts physical custody of the newborn infant
Upon the infant’s release from the hospital, the cabinet shall place the child in a foster home to provide concurrent planning placement services. ‘Concurrent planning placement services’ means the foster family shall work with the cabinet on reunification with the birth family, if known, and shall seek to adopt the infant if reunification cannot be accomplished.
At the temporary removal hearing, the court may place temporary custody with the cabinet for a minimum of 30 days.
During that time, the cabinet shall request assistance from law enforcement officials to investigate through the Missing Child Information Center and other national resources to ensure that the infant is not a missing child.
As soon as practicable following the 30-day placement period, the cabinet shall file a petition with the court seeking the involuntary termination of parental rights of the unknown parents. If a claim of parental rights is made at any time prior to the court order terminating rights, the court may hold the action for involuntary termination of parental rights in abeyance for no longer than 90 days.
A hearing shall be conducted within 10 days of the assertion of parental rights. The court may order genetic testing to establish maternity or paternity at the expense of the claimant. The cabinet shall conduct a child protective services investigation or assessment and home evaluation to develop recommendations for the court.