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 CLINIC (MUST BE LEFT WITH A STAFF MEMBER) |
AGE: 90 DAYS OR YOUNGER |
ANONYMITY AND LEGAL PROTECTION
GRANTED |
Ann. Statutes Chapter 24, Article 22 1-8
Infant’s Age
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 24-22-3
An infant may be relinquished. The term ‘infant’ means a child no more than 90 days old, as determined within a reasonable degree of medical certainty.
Who May Relinquish
the Infant
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 24-22-3
Any person may relinquish an infant.
Who May Receive the Infant
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 24-22-3
Thestaff of a licensed hospital or health-care clinic may receive the infant.
Responsibilities of the Safe Haven Provider
Citation: Ann.
Stat. §§ 24-22-3; 24-22-4
A hospital shall accept an infant who is left at the hospital in accordance with the provisions of the Safe Haven for Infants Act.
Upon receiving an infant, the hospital may provide the person leaving the infant with:
• Information about adoption services, including the availability of private adoption services
• Brochures or telephone numbers for agencies that provide adoption services or counseling services
• Written information regarding whom to contact at the Children, Youth, and Families Department if the parent decides to seek reunification
with the infant
A hospital shall ask the person leaving the infant whether the infant has a parent who is either a member of an Indian
Tribe or is eligible for membership in an Indian Tribe, but the person leaving the infant is not required to provide that information to the hospital.
Immediately after receiving an infant, a hospital shall inform the Children, Youth, and Families Department that the infant has been left at the hospital. The hospital shall provide the department with all available information regarding the child and the parents, including the identity of the child and the parents, the location of the parents, and the child’s medical records.
Immunity
for the Provider
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 24-22-8
A hospital and its staff are immune from criminal liability and civil liability for accepting an infant in compliance with the provisions of the Safe Haven for Infants Act but not for subsequent negligent medical care or treatment of the infant.
Protection for Relinquishing Parent
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 24-22-3
A person may leave an infant with the staff of a hospital without being subject to criminal prosecution for abandonment or abuse if the infant is left in a condition that would not constitute abandonment or abuse of a child.
A hospital may ask the person leaving the infant for the name of the infant’s
biological father or biological mother, the infant’s name, and the infant’s medical history, but the person leaving the infant is
not required to provide that information to the hospital.
Effect on Parental Rights
Citation: Ann. Stat. §§ 24-22-5; 24-22-7
The Children, Youth, and Families Department shall be deemed to have emergency custody of an infant who has been left at a hospital according to the provisions of the Safe Haven for Infants Act. Upon receiving a report of an infant left at a hospital, the department shall immediately conduct a child abuse and neglect investigation.
When an infant is taken into custody by the department, the department shall make reasonable efforts to determine whether the infant is an Indian child. If the infant is an Indian child:
• The child’s Tribe shall be notified.
• Pre adoptive placement and adoptive placement of the Indian child shall be in accordance with the provisions of §32A-5-5 regarding Indian child placement preferences.
A person established as a parent of an infant previously left at a hospital shall have standing to participate in all proceedings regarding the child. If a person not previously established as a parent seeks reunification with an infant previously left at a hospital and the person’s DNA indicates parentage of the infant, that person shall have standing to participate in all proceedings regarding the infant.