The following calls are to be expeditiously forwarded to and handled by Nick Silverio, Founder at 786-413-2570.
· All calls regarding A Safe Haven for Newborns in Florida, except for basic needs.
· Hiding their pregnancy…Anonymity issues
· If the law does not grant anonymity
· Unsure of what to do…the Safe Haven option vs Adoption
· Assistance navigating thru
the entire pregnancy
· Wanting to utilize the Safe Haven option
· Process to reclaim a newborn left at a Safe Haven facility
· Adoption issues
· Requesting signage/decals/collateral materials
· For Safe Haven facilities personnel
only…Safe Haven for Newborns Web based Certification is offered to all 50 states, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Please
encourage their participation and connect them to Nick Silverio, Founder at 786-413-2570……safehaven@asafehavenfornewborns.com.........www.asafehavenfornewborns.com
· Caller is interested in volunteer opportunities or donating to A Safe Haven for Newborns.
· Any other question(s), issues not previously addressed or when in doubt.
We are dedicated to saving the lives of precious newborns, WHATEVER IT TAKES, as every life is precious.
We assist the pregnant
woman or mother in a compassionate way to receive the help and support she needs.
REMEMBER, It is the Law-the baby MUST be
given to a staff member at a Safe Haven facility. Tell them you are leaving the baby with “Safe Haven”.
ANONYMITY -We respect and protect
the callers right to anonymity at all times.
MEDICAL HISTORY- Asking for and the mother providing medical history information is optional.
|
SAFE
HAVEN PROVIDERS: MEDICAL FACILITY HOSPITAL INSTITUTIONAL INFIRMARY BIRTHING CENTER HEALTH CENTER (MUST BE LEFT WITH A STAFF MEMBER) |
AGE: 7 DAYS OR YOUNGER |
ANONYMITY NOT SPECIFIED BUT LEGAL PROTECTION GRANTED |
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Infant’s Age
Citation: Ann.
Code § 19-10A-4
A newborn child who is no more than 1 week old may be relinquished.
Who May Relinquish the Infant
Citation: Ann. Code
§ 19-10A-4
The mother of the child may relinquish the child.
Who May Receive the Infant
Citation: Ann. Code §§ 19-10A-2; 19-10A-4
The child’s mother may leave her newborn child in the physical custody of an employee, agent, or member of the staff of a medical facility who is on duty, whether there in a paid or volunteer position.
The term ‘medical facility’ means any licensed general or specializedhospital, institutional infirmary, health center operated by a county board of health, or facility where human births occur on a regular and ongoing basis that is classified by the Department of Community Health as a birthing center, but the term shall not mean physicians’ or dentists’ private offices.
Responsibilities of the Safe Haven Provider
Citation: Ann. Code § 19-10A-6
A medical facility shall accept the child for inpatient admission and notify the Department of Human Services when the child is left and at the time the child is medically ready for discharge.
Immunity for the Provider
Citation: Ann. Code § 19-10A-7
Medical facilities and their employees, agents, and staff members shall not be liable for civil damages or subject to criminal prosecution for failure to discharge the duties provided for in this chapter. The immunity provided in this chapter shall in no way be construed as providing immunity for any acts of negligent treatment of the child taken into custody.
Protection for Relinquishing Parent
Citation: Ann. Code § 19-10A-4
A mother shall not be prosecuted for the crimes of cruelty to a child; contributing to the delinquency, unruliness, or deprivation of a child; or abandonment of a dependent child because of the act of leaving her newborn child in the physical custody of an employee, agent, or member of the staff of a medical facility who is on duty, whether they are in a paid or volunteer position, provided that the newborn child is no more than 1 week old and the mother shows proof of her identity, if available, to the person with whom the newborn is left and provides her name and address.
Effect on Parental Rights
Citation: Ann. Code § 19-10A-6
Upon notification that the child is medically ready for discharge, the Department of Human Services shall take physical custody of the child within 6 hours. The department, upon taking physical custody, shall promptly bring the child before the juvenile court to determine placement, as required by § 15-11-47.