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Question About Safe Haven Laws

Rachel SonnierRachel Sonnier member
in Adoption

Hi All! Lately I have just been lurking occasionally, but I have a question. 

There was an incident on our local news this AM that has me thinking about the Safe Haven Laws in our state. What are they like in your state? Do they only apply to infants? Can you voluntarily relinquish toddlers and older children to the state, or a licensed placing agency? 

I am just curious. I know that we are approved in a DIA program for an infant under 6 months, or a sibling group under the age of 3 (younger than our oldest child). We are expecting an infant, but we are open to more. I know that its rare to have a parent voluntarily relinquish a sibling group or older child, but it must happen, if they asked us about it, and it was an option on our preference list, right?

Just curious. The news report I saw this AM got me thinking about safe haven laws, and options for parents of older children who feel as though they cannot parent.  

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Re: Question About Safe Haven Laws

  • jyoung630jyoung630 member

    Safe haven laws vary from state to state.  If you go to:   https://www.nationalsafehavenalliance.org/

    You can click on your state to find out the specific laws in your area. 

    Here in VA infants up to 14 days old can be given up anonymously to any hospital, firestation, police department, or EMS personnel. The only provision is that you must physically hand the child to a responsible adult - you can't just drop and run.  The law here does not provide for sibling groups or older children voluntarily relinquished. 

    Our Little Miracle - Raymond Clifford Jr Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
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  • JennaNAaronJennaNAaron member
    Apparently in NC you can leav e your baby up to 7 days old with a variety of people and the last one is "a responsible adult."  I'm not sure what that means...all the other ones make sense.

    ~*Jenna*~


    TTC since November 2009.

    Currently licensed foster parents with the hope of adopting!  Also pursuing pregnancy through IUI!  First IUI scheduled 10/3/13


    Currently loving our placements:

    A 1/08

    C 4/11

    K 6/12


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  • IRRIRR member
    Interesting link.  Our state is 30 days to any ER room during normal business hours.  Thanks for posting.
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    Failed Matches - December 2012, May 2013, December 2013
    Moved on to  gestational surrogacy with a family friend who is our angel and due 7/23/15


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