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 POLICE DEPARTMENT WORSHIP CENTER CHILDREN SHELTER (MUST BE LEFT WITH A STAFF MEMBER) |
AGE: 3 DAYS OR YOUNGER |
ANONYMITY AND LEGAL PROTECTION GRANTED |
Infant’s Age
Citation: Ann. Laws Tit. 8, § 1062
A newborn may be relinquished. A ‘newborn’ is a child younger than 72 hours old.
Who May Relinquish the Infant
Citation: Ann. Laws Tit. 8, §
1062
A mother may surrender her child.
Who May Receive the Infant
Citation: Ann. Laws Tit. 8, § 1062
The child may be surrendered at apublic or private hospital.
Responsibilities of the Safe Haven Provider
Citation: Ann. Laws Tit. 8, § 1062
The newborn child shall be handed over to the personnel detailed to the public or private hospital. Such personnel shall be under the obligation to receive physical custody of the newborn child and contact the Department of the Family immediately.
Immunity for the Provider
This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.
Protection for Relinquishing Parent
Citation: Ann. Laws Tit. 8, § 1062
The mother may surrender her child in
confidentiality, without harm and without fear of being arrested, prosecuted, or tried, as long as the child does not present any
signs of abuse or mistreatment.
The mother shall not be guilty of the crime of abandonment of a child if she surrenders her newborn child voluntarily at a public or a private hospital.
The mother shall be required to fill out a form on the medical history of the child. Such form shall not include information that may compromise the confidentiality of the mother. If she should refuse to fill out the form, such refusal shall not constitute an impediment for the hospital to receive the newborn child.
Effect on Parental Rights
Citation:
Ann. Laws Tit. 8, § 1062
The department shall be under the obligation to institute the adoption proceedings immediately.
The relinquishing parent has the right to remain anonymous. The directors, officials or employees of the child shelter shall not require any information from the mother or father of the newborn unless the newborn shows signs of child abuse or neglect.
Parental authority of such children shall correspond to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Provisional custody of a relinquished newborn shall vest with the institution that received newborn, until the Department of the Family provides otherwise. [ii]