54 babies safely surrendered through Safe Havens program

ODJFS Director Helen Jones-Kelley today announced that 54 newborn babies have been safely surrendered since Ohio’s Safe Havens for Newborns law was enacted in April 2001. The figure is based on a recent survey of Ohio’s county public children service agencies.

"Ohio's Safe Havens law is designed to protect babies who are unable to protect themselves," ODJFS Director Helen Jones-Kelley said. "The law provides parents with an alternative to abandoning newborns in unsafe places."

The survey of county children services agencies determined that a total of 11 infants were surrendered during State Fiscal Year 2007, which ended June 30, including three in both Cuyahoga and Lucas counties, two in both Lorain and Summit counties and one Wayne County. In SFY 2006, six infants were surrendered in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Hamilton, Lucas, Portage, and Summit counties.

Under the Safe Havens law, a parent (without fear of prosecution) may deliver their unharmed newborn who is not more than 72 hours old, to a medical worker at a hospital, with a peace officer at a law enforcement agency or at an emergency service organization. Parents are not required to provide any personal information but are asked to voluntarily fill-out a medical history questionnaire.

Once a baby has been received by a Safe Havens provider, the newborn will be placed in the custody of a county public children services agency. The agency will then look for an adoptive family.

In order to make the public aware of the Safe Havens law, ODJFS has created a Safe Havens Web site (jfs.ohio.gov/safehavens) and distributed posters, brochures, public service announcements and opinion pieces. Safe Havens information has been distributed to public service agencies and organizations, hospitals, emergency medical services, fire stations, police stations, schools, and media outlets across the state. Individual counties also have played a major role in promoting the program.

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