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 FIRE STATION LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY EMS PROVIDER (MUST BE LEFT WITH A STAFF MEMBER) |
AGE: 30 DAYS OR YOUNGER |
ANONYMITY
AND LEGAL PROTECTION GRANTED |
Revised Statute 432B.630; 200.508 & 201.110
Infant’s Age
Citation: Rev. Stat. § 432B.630
A child who is or appears to be no more than 30 days old may be surrendered.
Who May Relinquish the Infant
Citation: Rev. Stat. § 432B.630
A parent of the child may voluntarily deliver the child to an emergency services provider.
The parent shall leave the child:
• In the physical possession of a person who the parent has reasonable cause to believe is an employee of the provider
• On the property of the provider in a manner and location that the parent has reasonable cause to believe will not threaten the physical health or safety of the child and shall immediately contact the provider, through the local emergency telephone number or otherwise, and inform the provider of the delivery and location of the child
Who May Receive the Infant
Citation: Rev. Stat. § 432B.630
A provider of emergency services shall take immediate possession of a surrendered child. The term ‘provider of emergency services’ includes:
•
A hospital, an obstetric center, or an independent center for emergency medical care
• A public firefighting agency
• A law enforcement agency
Responsibilities of the Safe Haven Provider
Citation: Rev. Stat. § 432B.630
A provider of emergency services who takes possession of a child shall perform any act necessary to maintain and protect the physical health and safety of the child. If the provider is a public firefighting agency or a law enforcement agency, the provider shall immediately arrange the safe delivery of the child to a hospital, an obstetric center, or an independent center for emergency medical care.
As soon as reasonably practicable but no later than 24 hours after the provider takes possession of the child, the provider shall report that possession to an agency that provides child welfare services and, if the provider is not a law enforcement agency, to a law enforcement agency. The law enforcement agency shall notify the clearinghouse of missing and exploited children and investigate further, if necessary, using any other resources to determine whether the child has been reported as a missing child. Upon conclusion of the investigation, the law enforcement agency shall inform the agency that provides child welfare services of its determination. The agency that provides child welfare services shall maintain that information for statistical and research purposes.
A parent who delivers a child to a provider of emergency services shall be deemed to have given consent to the performance of all necessary emergency services and care for the child.
Immunity for the
Provider
Citation: Rev. Stat. § 432B.630
A provider of emergency services is not liable for any civil damages as a result of any harm or injury sustained by a child after the child is left on the property of the provider and before the provider is informed of the delivery and location of the child or the provider takes physical possession of the child, whichever occurs first.
Protection for Relinquishing
Parent
Citation: Rev. Stat. §§ 432B.630; 200.508; 201.110
A parent who surrenders a child:
• Must not be required to provide any background or medical information regarding the child but may do so voluntarily
• Unless there is reasonable cause to believe that the child has been abused or neglected, excluding the mere fact that the parent has surrendered the child:
o Must not be required to disclose any identifying information but may do so voluntarily
o Must be allowed to leave at any time
o Must not be pursued or followed
A person does not commit abuse, neglect, or endangerment of a child by virtue of the sole fact that he or she delivers or allows the delivery of a child to a provider of emergency services.
A person does not commit contributory neglect of a child by virtue of the sole fact that he or she delivers or induces the delivery of a child to a provider of emergency services.
Effect on Parental Rights
Citation: Rev. Stat. § 432B.630
A provider of emergency services who takes possession of a child shall, whenever possible, inform the parent of the child that:
• By allowing the provider to take possession of the child, the parent is presumed to have abandoned the child.
• By failing or refusing to provide an address where the parent can be located, the parent waives any notice of the [protective custody]
hearing to be conducted pursuant to § 432B.470.
• Unless the parent contacts the local agency
that provides child welfare services, action will be taken to terminate his or her parental rights regarding the child.