Baby Saved From Infanticide in Virginia Thanks to State Safe Haven Law

On Tuesday May 12th, an infant was found in a Stafford County Park. The newborn was taken into care immediately and is well.  Only a couple of days later the baby’s mother was identified. The Mother will not face any charges because Virginia has a “Safe Haven” law which allows a mother to  safely and anonymously place her baby in the care of a hospital, fire station or other first responder locations for 30 days after birth, no questions will be asked.

Safe Haven Law requires the child to be placed in a designated safe haven location. Generally, babies left outside of safe haven locations is considered abandonment and possibly neglect.  Fortunately, charges were not filed against the mother in this case.

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The goal of the law is to try and prevent harm being done to the child if the mother is in a desperate or difficult situation and feels that she is unable to parent her baby. There is also the hope that when possible, the mother can be identified, and real help will be provided to her and her baby.  Or she can feel confident in knowing that she can safely surrender her baby, and a loving home will be provided for her child through the adoption process.

NSHA’s Safe Haven crisis hotline, 1-888-510-BABY (2229), provides 24/7, confidential, compassionate support to parents in crisis across the country, helping prevent unsafe infant abandonment by connecting families with safe, legal, and life-saving options including parenting support, adoption resources, and Safe Haven surrender information.

“More awareness is needed about what Safe Haven is and how it helps birth mothers and their newborns.  Unfortunately, there are times when infants are abandoned, and they are not alive when they are discovered.  NSHA supports greater education for states and the implementation of a federal law that will enable mandatory minimum standards so that parents can safely surrender their newborn.  This supports and protects the mother and her baby. Safe Haven locations should also have signs placed in each facility so that parents in crisis know there are options for them to confidently and safely surrender their baby without penalty.”

LifeNews Note: Olivia Gans is the director of the Virginia Society for Human Life.