11/14/2025
Florida's Safe Haven was created as an alternative to infant abandonment. The law allows parents of an unharmed infant (within 30 days of birth) to directly surrender their child to a hospital, fire department, or ambulance service, totally anonymously and free from fear of prosecution. Additionally, if a parent is unable to get to a fully staffed medical/EMS facility, she or he can call 911 and emergency personnel can meet the parent to take custody of the infant. Safe Haven has a 24- hour multi- lingual helpline (1-877-767-BABY/1-877-767-2229) as well.
To date, more than 400 babies have been surrendered through Safe Haven in Florida. When a baby is relinquished to emergency personnel, a local private adoption agency must be contacted to begin making appropriate phone calls to ensure that the baby has not been kidnapped or trafficked, and to then contact a family that is willing to accept adoption placement. Thanks to Safe Haven, precious lives are being protected.
