WASHINGTON — Since 2004, the Commonwealth of Virginia has had Safe Haven Laws in place to give new parents the ability to safely surrender their unharmed infant within 30 days of the child's birth.
According to the Virginia Department of Social Services, the Safe Haven laws require the parents to surrender the child to a staff member at an approved Safe Haven location or a newborn safety device may be utilized if located at and operated by a designated Safe Haven location.
The law protects new parents who safely surrender their child from criminal and civil liability and allows a parent to claim an affirmative defense to prosecution if the prosecution is based solely on the parent having left the infant at a designated Safe Haven location. However, the child must be younger than 30 days old when surrendered and must be delivered safely.
Approved Safe Haven locations include:
- A hospital that provides 24-hour emergency services
- An attended Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agency that employs emergency medical personnel, such as some fire stations or rescue squads
- A newborn safety device located at and operated by such hospital or emergency medical services agency
For emergency support, parents may contact the National Safe Haven Alliance at 1-888-510-BABY (2229).
Additionally, the Virginia Department of Social Services says parents who surrender at the time of delivery may not remain anonymous and are encouraged to have hospital staff ask about private agency adoption options.
For fathers or paternal family members, the Virginia Department of Social Services suggests seeking local resources and support. Fathers may also go through the Virginia Birth Father Registry, a confidential database that protects the rights of unmarried men to children they may have unknowingly fathered.
Click here for more information.
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