Baby Moses, Safe Haven Law
Under this law, if you have a newborn that you are unable to care for, you can bring your baby to a designated safe place with no questions asked. The Safe Haven law, also known as the Baby Moses law, gives parents who are unable to care for their child a safe and legal choice to leave their infant with an employee at a designated safe placeāa hospital, fire station, free-standing emergency centers or emergency medical services (EMS) station. Then, your baby will receive medical care and be placed with an emergency provider.
The Baby Moses, Safe Haven law is specifically designed to support parents in making the responsible decision of giving their baby to child services without the fear of prosecution for abandonment or neglect. The alliance is here to assistant in this transition with counseling, support and assistance in making this difficult but important choice for the benefit of your baby.
Information for Parents
If you are thinking about bringing your baby to a designated Safe Haven, the following are important points to consider:
- Your baby must be 60 days old or younger and unharmed and safe.
- You may take your baby to any hospital, fire station, emergency medical services (EMS) station or designated child-agency in Texas.
- You need to give your baby to an employee who works at one of these safe places and tell this person that you want to leave your baby at a Safe Haven.
- You may be asked by an employee for family or medical history to make sure that your baby receives the care they need.
- You may designate a representative that can bring your baby to a Safe Haven location on your behalf. Although the alliance is not a Safe Haven location, we will assist you in taking your baby to a Safe Haven location or act as your representative and bring your baby to a safe haven location on your behalf.
Remember, If you or your representative leave your unharmed infant at a Safe Haven location or ask us to assistance you as your representative in bringing your infant to a safe haven location, you will not be prosecuted for abandonment or neglect.
For more information, please go to Baby Safe Haven or The Baby Moses Project or call the Texas Baby Moses Hotline 1-877-904-SAVE (1-877-904-7283).