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 EMERGENCY ROOM POLICE DEPARTMENT (MUST BE LEFT WITH A STAFF MEMBER) |
AGE: 30 DAYS OR YOUNGER |
ANONYMITY
AND LEGAL PROTECTION GRANTED |
Ann. Statutes 30:4C-15.7,8
Infant’s Age
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 30:4C-15.7
A child who is or appears to be no more than 30 days old may be relinquished.
Who May Relinquish the Infant
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 30:4C-15.7
A parent, or a person designated by the parent, may relinquish the child.
Who May Receive the Infant
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 30:4C-15.7
The child may be delivered to:
• A State, county, or municipal police station
• The emergency department of a licensed hospital
Responsibilities of the Safe Haven Provider
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 30:4C-15.7
If a person leaves the child at a police station and does not express an intent to return for the child, a police officer shall take the child to the emergency department of a hospital.
If a person leaves the child at an emergency department of a hospital and does not express an intent to return for the child, or if a police officer brings a relinquished child to the hospital, the hospital shall:
• Take possession of the child without a court order
• Take any action or provide any treatment
necessary to protect the child’s physical health and safety
• No later than the first business day after taking possession of the child, notify the Division of Child Protection and Permanency that the hospital has taken possession of the child
The division shall assume the care, custody, and control of the child immediately upon receipt of notice from the hospital.
The division shall commence a thorough search of all listings of missing children to ensure that the relinquished child has not been reported missing.
Immunity for the Provider
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 30:4C-15.7
A State, county, or municipal police officer and the governmental jurisdiction employing that officer or an employee of an emergency department of a licensed general hospital in this State and the hospital employing that person shall incur no civil or criminal liability for any good-faith acts or omissions performed pursuant to this section.
Protection for Relinquishing Parent
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 30:4C-15.7
It shall be an affirmative defense to prosecution for abandonment of a child that the parent voluntarily delivered the child to a safe haven provider. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to create a defense to any prosecution arising from any conduct other than the act of delivering the child, and this subsection specifically shall not constitute a defense to any prosecution arising from an act of abuse or neglect committed prior to the delivery of the child.
Any person who voluntarily delivers a child who is or appears to be no more than 30 days old to a licensed
general hospital or a police station in accordance with this section shall not be required to disclose that person’s name or other
identifying information or that of the child or the child’s parent, if different from the person who delivers the child, or provide
background or medical information about the child, but may do so voluntarily.
Effect on Parental Rights
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 30:4C-15.8
Thedivision, after assuming the care, custody, and control of a child, shall not be required to attempt to reunify the child with the child’s parents. Additionally, the division shall not be required to search for relatives of the child as a placement or permanency option, or to implement other placement requirements that give preference to relatives if the division does not have information as to the identity of the child, the child’s mother, or the child’s father. The division shall place the child with potential adoptive parents as soon as possible.