Response training

An escalating crisis in the world; mothers are keeping their pregnancy secret, often lacking support, then disposing of the newborn in an illegal manner often resulting in death...
The generally accepted stereotype of a person who abandons a newborn infant is that of a teenage, underprivileged mother. However, our experience indicates that this is a tragedy crosses all categories of age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.
It's important this information is provided to Hospitals, Firefighters and Law Enforcement so they are trained to respond in these complex situations

2024 - A Safe Haven for Newborns supported to change the surrender period from 7 to 30 days. The law was also changed, in July 2024, allowing a parent the option to call 911 if a parent of an infant is unable to surrender the infant at a Fire /EMS Station or Hospital. The parent may call 911 to request that an emergency medical service provider meet the parent at a specified location. The parent must stay with the infant until the emergency medical service provider arrives to take custody of the infant and then transport the infant to the hospital.

There are two methods of surrendering an infant

1. Direct Surrender "Directly Surrendering" a newborn into the arms of trained and compassionate professionals at hospitals and 24/7 Fire and EMS stations allows the trained professionals to:
• Offer emergency medical care to both the mother and her newborn.
• Obtain extremely valuable health information impacting the immediate and long term care of the newborn infant.
• Offering the mother resources to obtain counseling and supportive services.
• If a baby is found abused, neglected, or potentially trafficked or kidnapped, the trained professional can recognize this and contact law enforcement.
• Additionally, psychologists have repeatedly identified the emotional trauma a new mother can go through when electing to safely surrender her newborn. By directlyhanding the baby to a trained professional the anxiety and emotional scarring are potentially reduced for both the mother and her newborn.

2. Indirect Surrender
The statute was amended, effective July 1", 2025 to include installation of Infant Safety Devices, also known as baby boxes with specific criteria defined below:
• Leased contract (5 years-renewable )with service agreement required.
• Initial and annual fee required.
• User responsible to install the box per Baby Box requirements.
• Must be physically part of the structure.
• Must be temperature controlled and have ventilation system.
• Must be equipped with dual alarm system connected to the physical location.
• Alarm must be automatically triggered when the infant is placed in the device.
• Must be equipped with surveillance system, which allows 24 hour monitoring inside the box.
• Interior access point must be in a conspicuous and visible area of the facility.
• Device must be checked at least twice daily.
• Alarm system must be tested weekly and the alarm device must dispatch the nearest responder immediately.

Each emergency medical services station or fire station staffed with full-time firefighters, emergency medical technicians, or paramedics shall accept any newborn infant left with i firefighter, emergency medical technician, or paramedic. The firefighter, emergency medical technician, or paramedic shall consider these actions as implied consent and shall:
• Provide emergency medical services to the newborn infant to the extent he or she is trained to provide those services.
• Offer the mother medical care assistance while allowing her to remain anonymous. She made a courageous decision wishing to be protected, as intended, under the "Safe Haven Law".
Provide the mother with The Safe Haven for Newborns kit which includes a medical questionnaire (they are not obligated to complete it) and a Dear Birthmother card.

It is permissible to ask medically related questions such as:
• Did the mother receive prenatal care throughout the pregnancy?
• Was the delivery of the newborn infant free from complications?
• Is there any past medical history related to the mother, father, or relatives that may assist in care of the newborn infant?
Do not pressure them; as they are not obligated to answer.
We do not want to discourage a mother or any parent from utilizing the "Safe Haven" program, which has now saved numerous newborns in Florida.


Confidentiality is vital to the continued success of the "Safe Haven" program.
The parent(s) have the absolute right to remain anonymous in accordance with the "Safe Haven" law even if information is known regarding the mother, i.e. the baby is born at the hospital or any other means that would identify the parents.
• Do not attempt to pressure, retain, or apprehend the parent:
They can leave at any time and may not be pursued or followed unless the parent seek to reclaim the newborn infant or there are signs of abuse or neglect.
• Do not attempt to gain name, address, phone number, license tag, description of vehicle.
• Written reports should only include patient (infant) medical assessment and care provided information.
• Do not post any information on social media platforms or take pictures.


In an effort to ensure total confidentiality for the parent(s) and the newborn infant, it is highly recommended that:
• Radio reports should be brief and generic in nature.
• Do not indicate that the incident is a "Safe Haven" situation.
• It may be best to use other means such as cellular phones, when consulting with the communication center and medical facility or provide an in-person report upon patient transfer.

Transfer of Care
Arrange for immediate transportation of the newborn infant to the nearest hospital having emergency services.
Upon transfer of the newborn infant, the hospital assumes custody.
A written report per department policy must be completed; omitting personal information about the parents in order for the parent(s) to remain anonymous.

The "Safe Haven" law requires absolute anonymity of the parents); therefore, information that could identify or provide a means to contact them should not be made available to any organization - public or private, including adoption agencies. Regardless of the circumstances, the law stipulates
The hospital should have a written policy that states that the hospital will consider the newborn a "Safe Haven" baby and will place the infant with a child placing agency if:
• The mother leaves the newborn without notifying hospital staff prior to the newborn being medically cleared for discharge.
She does not indicate her intention regarding the newborn.
She does not visit or maintain communication with the hospital.

The hospital or any of its licensed health care professionals shall consider these actions as implied consent for treatment; and a hospital accepting physical custody of a newborn infant has implied consent to perform all necessary emergency services and care.
• Offer the mother medical assistance while allowing her to remain anonymous.
Provide the mother with The Safe Haven for Newborns kit which includes a medical questionnaire (they are not obligated to complete it) and a Dear Birthmother card.
It is permissible to ask medically related questions; such as:
Did the mother receive prenatal care throughout the pregnancy?
Was the delivery of the newborn infant free from complications?
Is there any past medical history related to the mother, father, or relatives that may assist in care of the newborn infant?
• Offer to evaluate the mother, and offer counseling, if available and willing.
• Case management will decide on a case by case basis, whether to contact the Department of Children and Families, if social issues are involved.



Birth Certificate Documentation
•The newborn should be listed as "Safe Haven Baby" on all hospital reports.
• Release signatures from parent should not be acquired.
It is essential that the parents(s) remain anonymous as allowed under the "Safe Haven" Law.
The hospital or registrar shall complete the infants birth certificate without naming the mother in these circumstances:
• If the baby is born at the hospital and a mother expresses her intent to leave the infant, not return, and wishes to remain anonymous.
• If the baby is born at the hospital and a mother leaves without the baby and does not notify hospital personnel of her intent to do so.
• If the baby is not born at the hospital.


Upon the occurrence of a "Safe Haven" infant event (admitted to or born at a hospital), the hospital shall immediately contact a local licensed child-placing agency, on an equitable basis, or alternatively contact the statewide central abuse hotline for the name of a licensed child-placing agency for the purpose of transferring physical custody of the newborn infant. The hospital shall notify the licensed child-placing agency that a newborn infant has been left with the hospital and approximately when the licensed child-placing agency can take physical custody of the child. In cases where there is actual or suspected child abuse or neglect, the hospital or any of its licensed health care professionals shall report the actual or suspected child abuse or neglect in accordance with ss.39.201 and395.1023 in lieu of contacting a licensed child placing agency. This "Safe Haven" event is to be followed up with a written report as per the hospital's current policy. Note: The Florida Adoption Information Center (1-800-96ADOPT) maintains the list of all licensed child-placing agencies in Florida that are willing and able to receive a "Safe Haven" baby. The list is available by contacting the statewide central abuse hotline or online at http://www.asafehavenfornewborns.com.