TRENTON – Last month, a healthy newborn was brought to a Safe Haven site in New Jersey. This is the 72nd Safe Haven surrender since the law was passed in July 2000. Due to confidentiality laws, and the promise of anonymity for the parent/s, the state will not share publicly the gender of the infant or the exact date and location of the surrender.

The Safe Haven law allows infants up to 30 days old, free of abuse or neglect, to be anonymously surrendered to staff at hospital emergency rooms, police or fire stations, and ambulance or rescue squads. Once cleared by a medical professional, surrendered infants are placed into foster care through the Department of Children and Families’ (DCF) Division of Child Protection and Permanency.

“Surrendering an infant is an incredibly selfless and courageous thing to do when life circumstances prevent the parents from raising the baby themselves,” said DCF Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer. “The Safe Haven law allows a safe space for this difficult decision to be made, without judgement and without legal repercussions.”

In November 2018, DCF launched a new Safe Haven campaign with updated materials to raise awareness of the law, particularly with young women between the ages 13 to 30. For more information about the Safe Haven law, visit www.njsafehaven.org or call the Safe Haven Hotline at 1.877.839.2339.