While they have existed for decades, many people may still not be aware that there are safe haven laws in all 50 states, as well as in many places abroad. Safe haven laws allow a birth mother to surrender her newborn to a designated safe haven site, such as a hospital, a police station, or a fire station. In these instances, children who are handed over are accepted without any questions asked.
In 1999, the National Safe Haven Alliance was launched in order to save babies who would have otherwise wound up injured or abandoned, in order to give them a chance at a new life with a new family. On the Alliance’s website, it notes that the group puts its services toward ensuring that “every parent is given the support, resources, and opportunity to create a safe post-birth plan for their baby.”
While the specifics of safe haven laws vary from state to state, a film that recently circulated on social media offers a glimpse into a safe haven experience in Idaho. There a birth mother is allowed to surrender her newborn within 30 days of birth. The 10-minute clip tells the story of Tom and Whitney, a married couple who struggled for several years unsuccessfully to have a baby.
"Infertility is a word I hate," Whitney explains. "It's like a club you don't want to be a part of."
The couple further discusses the emotional turmoil they endured in trying to build a family -- a struggle that had a joyful resolution when they decided to pursue adoption. That’s when they met Annabelle, an exceptionally sweet, mild-mannered safe haven baby, who was shortly thereafter placed in their lives.
"If I could say something to Annabelle's biological mother," Whitney says in the last scene, "I'd say, 'thank you for being so brave ... thank you for choosing life for her.'"
Since 1999, almost 5,000 babies have been rescued through Safe Haven laws. In 2024, over 100 babies were surrendered, and 120 parents were helped through its many programs. To learn more about the National Safe Haven Alliance, visit their website or call 1-888-510-2229.
