The Safe Haven Laws allows a parent to voluntarily give up custody of an infant age 30 days or younger, to the nursing staff of an emergency room. The parent will not be subject to arrest for abandonment.  This act does not protect the parent from being arrested and criminally prosecuted if abuse or neglect has occurred.

The Colorado safe haven laws were enacted in the year 2000.  The law permits parents to surrender anonymously their newborn not older than three days to personnel at a fire station or hospital.  Safe haven laws aim to provide mothers in crisis a safe place to surrender their unwanted newborn. 

The law allows a parent or legal guardian to confidentially surrender an infant, three days old or younger, to any hospital emergency room. As long as the baby has not been abused or neglected,the person may surrender the baby without fear of arrest or prosecution for childabandonment. No names are required, and the parent(s) will not be subject toprosecution for

The Alaska Safe Haven law allows a parent to bring a child, 21 days old or younger to an employee at any hospital emergency room, law enforcement agency, fire department that is staffed 24 hours a day, or an EMS provider without facing prosecution for endangering or abandoning a child.

Arizona’s safe haven law allows a newborn to be dropped off, without criminal prosecution, with: an on-duty firefighter or EMT, a licensed child welfare center or adoption agency, or a church with a sign identifying it as a safe haven.

The Arkansas Safe Haven law allows a parent to bring a child, 30 days old or younger to an employee at any hospital emergency room, law enforcement agency, fire department that is staffed 24 hours a day, or a designated newborn safety device (often called a baby box) location anonymously and without facing prosecution for endangering or abandoning a child.

In Alabama, the safe haven law allows a mother to leave their unharmed baby, up to 3 days old, with a hospital employee at the emergency room of any licensed hospital in Alabama. Done this way there is total secrecy and a guarantee that the police will not be called for abandonment.

Care Net has been serving Milwaukee area women since 1985. All of their services are free and confidential.

Women’s Support Center is a Pregnancy Help Center dedicated to serving women in the Milwaukee area since 2007. All of their services are free and confidential.

Whether you are pregnant or wondering if you are, the supportive team at Clarity Clinic of SW Wisconsin, LTD., has valuable information and resources to help you explore all of your choices about your pregnancy and reproductive wellness.