Missouri

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.

Ann. Statute 210.950 updated aug 28 2013

Infant’s Age

Citation: Ann. Stat. § 210.950

A child who is no more than 45 days old may be relinquished.

Who May Relinquish the Infant

Citation: Ann. Stat. § 210.950

The child may be relinquished by his or her biological parent.

Who May Receive the Infant

Citation: Ann. Stat. § 210.950

The child may be released to the physical custody of any of the following persons:

•       An employee, agent, or member of the staff of any hospital, in a health-care provider position, or on duty in a non medical paid or volunteer position

•        A firefighter or emergency medical technician on duty in a paid position or on duty in a volunteer position

•        A law enforcement officer

Responsibilities of the Safe Haven Provider

Citation: Ann. Stat. § 210.950

A safe haven provider shall, without a court order, take physical custody of a child the person reasonably believes to be no more than 45 days and is delivered in accordance with this section by a person purporting to be the child’s parent. If delivery of a newborn is made in any place other than a hospital, the person taking physical custody of the child shall arrange for the immediate transportation of the child to the nearest hospital.

The hospital shall perform treatment in accordance with the prevailing standard of care as necessary to protect the physical health or safety of the child.

The hospital shallnotify the Division of Family Services and the local juvenile officer upon receipt of a child. The local juvenile officer shall immediately begin protective custody proceedings and request the child be made a ward of the court during the child’s stay in the medical facility. Upon discharge of the child from the medical facility and pursuant to a protective custody order ordering custody of the child to the division, the Division of Family Services shall take physical custody of the child.

When a non relinquishing parent inquires at a hospital regarding the child, such facility shall refer the non relinquishing parent to the Division of Family Services and the juvenile court exercising jurisdiction over the child.

Immunity for the Provider

Citation: Ann. Stat. § 210.950

A safe haven provider shall be immune from civil, criminal, and administrative liability for accepting physical custody of a child pursuant to this section if such persons accept custody in good faith. Such immunity shall not extend to any acts or omissions, including negligent or intentional acts or omissions, occurring after the acceptance of such child.

Protection for Relinquishing Parent

Citation: Ann. Stat. § 210.950

A parent shall not be prosecuted for child abandonment or endangering the welfare of a child for actions related to the voluntary relinquishment of a child up to 45 days old. It shall be an affirmative defense to prosecution for child abandonment or endangering the welfare of a child that a parent who is a defendant voluntarily relinquished a child no more than 45 days old if:

•       Expressing intent not to return for the child, the parent voluntarily delivered the child safely to the physical custody of any safe haven provider.

•        The child was no more than 45 days old when delivered by the parent to a safe haven provider.

•        The child had not been abused or neglected by the parent prior to such voluntary delivery.

Effect on Parental Rights

Citation: Ann. Stat. § 210.950

The parent’s voluntary delivery of the child in accordance with this section shall constitute the parent’s implied consent to any such act and a voluntary relinquishment of such parent’s parental rights.

In any termination of parental rights proceeding initiated after the relinquishment of a child, the juvenile officer shall make public notice that a child has been relinquished, including the sex of the child, and the date and location of such relinquishment. Within 30 days of such public notice, the non relinquishing parent wishing to establish parental rights shall identify him or herself to the court and state his or her intentions regarding the child.

The court shall initiate proceedings to establish paternity, or if no person identifies himself as the father within 30 days, maternity. The juvenile officer shall make examination of the putative father registry to determine whether attempts have previously been made to preserve parental rights to the child. If such attempts have been made, the juvenile officer shall make reasonable efforts to provide notice of the abandonment of the child to such putative father.

If a parent of a child has relinquished custody of the child to a safe haven provider, the non relinquishing parent shall take such steps necessary to establish parentage within 30 days after notice has been provided. If a non relinquishing parent fails to establish parentage within the 30-day period, the non relinquishing parent may have all of his or her rights terminated with respect to the child.