(Des Moines, IA) - Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) officials have used the
stateÃs safe haven procedure for the 46th time since the law went into effect. A baby girl,
born Sept. 27, was released to the custody of DHS. Specific details are withheld in
order to protect the identity of the parents and the children. Through IowaÃs Safe Haven
law, parents, or their authorized representative, can leave infants age 30 days or
younger at a hospital or health care facility without fear of prosecution for abandonment.
ìThe purpose of this law is to protect the lives of newborns who are in danger of
abandonment,î said Janee Harvey, DHS Division Administrator of Adult, Children and
Family Services. ìWe want to ensure Iowans know that Safe Haven is an available
option if they cannot care for their newborn safely. We recognize that these decisions
are often made in the midst of crisis and the protocols are built accordingly.î Safe
Haven prioritizes the health and physical safety of the infant(s), as well as the
anonymity of the parent or authorized individual who relinquishes custody of the child.
The Safe Haven law was approved in the wake of a high-profile case in 2001 involving a
teen mother in eastern Iowa who killed her home-delivered newborn. Infants who are
safe haven babies are placed with currently approved foster or adoptive families. All
states have Safe Haven laws, although provisions differ.
If you are interested in becoming a foster or adoptive parent, please visit
www.iowafosterandadoption.org.
For more information on the Safe Haven procedure: http://dhs.iowa.gov/safe-haven.