FAQs

Newborn babies are being left to die by mothers who believe, for whatever reason, that they have no other alternative. While no one can fully understand why a person would endanger a vulnerable child, two common denominators present themselves – isolation and denial. Mothers (and fathers) who abandon a newborn child often believe that they have no alternative. They often believe that they are, and in fact they may be, utterly and completely alone. Living in this isolation, they are left to wrestle with problems that they are not psychologically or emotionally equipped to handle.

The generally accepted stereotype of a person who abandons a newborn child is that of a teenage, underprivileged mother. However, our experience shows that this is a tragedy that crosses all categories of age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.

The baby may be taken to any hospital emergency room, staffed fire rescue station, or staffed emergency medical service station in the state of Florida.
REMEMBER, IT IS ABSOLUTELY MANDATORY to give the baby to a person working at one of these facilities. That is the only way to ensure that the baby will be safe & well taken care of.
People working at these facilities usually have some form of visible identification.
Tell the person that you want to leave your baby with “Safe Haven”.

The person will face criminal charges.

The person will face criminal charges.

No, the baby may be left at any hospital, staffed fire rescue station or staffed Emergency Medical Service station in the state of Florida.

Because the first hours/days of a newborn’s life are the most vulnerable, therefore, more urgent. 
Allows a mother/father to make a constructive and life affirming decision for the infant and themselves.
The option of directly placing the baby with an adoption Agency is always available.

The law actually states, “A newborn that a licensed physician reasonably believes to be approximately 7 days old or less.”

Be assured – No one is going to try to find out who you are – The person leaving the baby is not required to answer any questions.
A Safe Haven for Newborns or the people at the facility where the baby is left may ask some medical history questions that will be placed in the baby’s records, which may help answer future health questions. Also, referral information from “Safe Haven” is available for the parent to speak with someone about what they have been through and / or to receive medical attention.
The purpose of this program is to save the lives of newborns. Therefore, the premise is that a newborn left in safety without medical records is preferable to an unsafe abandonment resulting in an almost sure death.

The Police and the Department of Children and Families will not be called if the unharmed baby (approximately 7 days old or less) is taken to a hospital, fire rescue station or Emergency Medical Service station and given to a person who works there. If the parents follow these guidelines they will not be prosecuted for abandonment or neglect.

If the baby is left at a fire rescue or Emergency Medical Service station they will give the baby emergency medical services to the extent of their knowledge and then transport the baby to the closest hospital.
The hospital will take care of any emergency medical services the baby may require.
The hospital will contact on a rotating basis, a licensed child-placing agency from a list produced by the Florida Adoption Information Center (see Safe Haven Website). The baby will then be placed with parents who have been waiting to adopt a child.

This program does not change any present laws regarding father’s rights.

A parent of a newborn infant left at a hospital, emergency medical services station, or fire station under the “Safe Haven” law may claim his or her newborn infant up until the court enters a judgment terminating his or her parental rights which is approximately 30 days. A claim for the newborn infant must be made to the entity having physical or legal custody of the newborn infant or to the circuit court before whom proceedings involving the newborn infant are pending.

Safe Haven’s mission is to save the lives of infants in danger of being abandoned. We do not receive physical custody of the babies or are involved in anyway with the adoption process. 
If you are interested in adoption call the Florida adoption information center at 1-800/96-Adopt and please visit our website at www.asafehavenfornewborns.com to:
Learn more about the adoption process.
View a list of “Safe Haven” licensed child placing agencies in Florida.
See other helpful links.

That is one of the hopes of Safe Haven for Newborns. We emphasis “Please don’t wait until your baby is born.” They can call our 24/7 multilingual referral helpline number (1-877-767-BABY(2229)). We hope that girls/women will call this number before they have their babies-effectively thwarting a crisis before it begins. We also hope that our message is reaching young mothers to realize that they are not alone.
The community cares about them.
There is confidential help available.

Medicaid pays the cost of medical care for an unharmed relinquished newborn by virtue of the same laws that existed prior to passage of the “Safe Haven Law”.

No – leaving a baby at a “Safe Haven” is the last option and is a compassionate alternative to abandoning a baby to a almost sure death. The mother is encouraged to talk to someone even before the baby is born and is encouraged to either keep the baby or to go through the normal channels of the adoption process. She also is encouraged to seek prenatal care.
Obviously this Law is not the final answer to the societal problems contributing to the cause of infant abandonment but it provides a compassionate approach to saving the lives of innocent and helpless babies. This law is a positive outcome for all involved: a child’s life is saved; a mother or father is saved from lifetime of guilt, anguish and criminal prosecution; the hopes of a family waiting to adopt a child are fulfilled. We believe – If one life is saved, all our efforts are truly worthwhile!

No – Two totally different programs – The “A Safe Haven for Newborns” is a Florida Law.
The Safe Place program is an excellent program for youth (under age 18) having problems of abuse, neglect, lost or in some dangerous situation with a drunk or unsafe driver or just wanting to talk to someone about a problem.
The Safe haven for Newborns allows mothers, fathers or whoever is in possession of an unharmed newborn, approximately, seven days old or less (to be determined by a (Licensed Physician) to leave them at Safe Havens: any hospital, staffed fire station, or staffed emergency medical service station, with no questions asked, totally anonymous, free from fear of prosecution. These “Safe Havens” working to receive these babies coupled with the identity protection of the parent, make this Law an effective tool in preventing unnecessary deaths of newborns in the state of Florida.

All 50 states have enacted some version of “Safe Haven” legislation.

First of all it is absolutely confidential.
Our helpline is staffed by caring individuals who will assist you in your time of need and will never judge you.
It is a state wide, toll free, multilingual, referral helpline and available 24/7 (1-877-767-2229).

We are a Florida non-profit 501(c) 3 organization dedicated to eliminating infant abandonment in the state of Florida, through education, prevention and community involvement. Through our “partnering efforts” in all 67 Florida Counties, our public awareness efforts and the availability of our statewide multilingual 24/7 helpline, we are saving lives.

If it is a crisis, call the 24/7 referral helpline: 1-877-767-2229. 
All other questions, visit our website at www.asafehavenfornewborns.com, email us atsafehaven@asafehavenfornewborns.com or call us at our administrative office: 305-882-1304, ext 103.

Volunteer your time – there are many ways: Please email us at safehaven@asafehavenfornewborns.com or call us at our administrative office: 305/882-1304, ext: 103.
Donations: We are private, non profit, 501(c)3 Florida organization and your donations will help us continue to save little lives: 

Mail to:

Gloria M. Silverio Foundation. “A Safe Haven for Newborns” 
6801 NW 77th ave. Suite 404
Miami, FL 33166 
Or go on line and donate thru our secured donation process (see our website at www.asafehavenfornewborns.com).