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: MEDICAL FACILITY EMS PROVIDER FIRE STATION CLINIC LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY (MUST BE LEFT WITH A STAFF MEMBER) |
AGE: 60
DAYS OR YOUNGER |
ANONYMITY AND LEGAL PROTECTION GRANTED |
Ann. Laws 25-5A-27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36
Infant’s Age
Citation:
Ann. Laws § 25-5A-27
A child who is 60 days old or younger may be relinquished.
Who May Relinquish the Infant
Citation: Ann. Laws § 25-5A-27
A child may be relinquished by his or her parent.
Who May Receive the Infant
Citation: Ann. Laws §§ 25-5A-27; 25-5A-34
An emergency medical services provider or licensed child-placing agency shall take possession of a child if the child is voluntarily delivered to the provider or agency by the child’s parent and the parent does not express an intent to return for the child. An emergency medical services provider is:
• A licensed health-care facility or clinic
• Any agent of a licensed health-care facility or clinic
• A law enforcement officer
• An emergency medical technician
• A firefighter
Responsibilities of the Safe Haven Provider
Citation:
Ann. Laws §§ 25-5A-27; 25-5A-30; 25-5A-32
Any provider or agency who takes possession of a child pursuant to this section shall perform any act necessary to protect the physical health and safety of the child.
Any emergency medical services provider or licensed child-placing agency that accepts custody of a child may ask the child’s parent for pertinent medical information relating to the child’s medical history.
The emergency medical services provider or a licensed child-placing agency shall immediately notify the Department of Social Services that the provider or agency has taken possession of the child. The department or licensed child-placing agency shall assume the care, custody, and control of the child immediately upon receipt of the notice. However, a licensed child-placing agency that has taken possession of a child may assume the care, custody, and control of the child.
Immunity for the Provider
Citation: Ann. Laws
§ 25-5A-31
Any emergency medical services provider or licensed child-placing agency that accepts physical custody of a child is immune from civil, criminal, and administrative liability for any act of commission or omission in connection with the acceptance of that custody or the provision of care for the child while the child is in the provider’s or agency’s custody.
Protection for Relinquishing
Parent
Citation: Ann. Laws §§ 25-5A-28; 25-5A-30; 25-5A-32
It is not a crime for a parent to deliver a child to an emergency medical services provider or a licensed child-placing agency if the child has not been harmed prior to being left with the emergency medical services provider or a licensed child-placing agency.
The parent leaving the child is not required to provide any information, including
the name of the parents.
The department or licensed child-placing agency may not attempt to identify, contact, or investigate the parent who voluntarily delivered the child to an emergency medical services provider or a licensed child-placing agency unless it appears the child has been harmed.
Effect on Parental Rights
Citation: Ann. Laws §§ 25-5A-29; 25-5A-33; 25-5A-35; 25-5A-36
If a parent of a child
relinquishes custody of the child to an emergency medical services provider or a licensed child placing agency, then, after
14 days and by operation of law:
• All of that parent’s rights with respect to the child
are terminated.
• The child becomes a ward of the State or licensed child-placing agency.
If
one parent of a child relinquishes custody of the child to an emergency medical services provider or a licensed child placing agency,
the other parent may file an action for custody of the child. The non relinquishing parent shall file such an action within 30 days
after the provider or agency accepts custody of the child from the relinquishing parent. In such an action, the non relinquishing
parent shall prove the following by a preponderance of the evidence:
• He or she is the parent
of the child.
• He or she did not consent to relinquishment of the child’s custody to the
provider or agency.
A hearing shall be held in circuit court to terminate parental rights 60 days after the emergency medical services provider or licensed child-placing agency takes possession of the child. Due regard shall be afforded to the Indian Child Welfare Act if that act is applicable.