Safely surrender a newborn baby

If you are a parent or have lawful custody, you can safely surrender a newborn baby confidentially, and without fear of prosecution.

Need to know

  • No cost
  • No questions asked
  • Surrender the baby within 72 hours of birth
  • If you change your mind, you can reclaim your baby within 14 days

Before you start

The Safe Surrender Baby program is a state program that helps save the lives of newborn infants at risk of abandonment.

Steps

  1. Bring the baby to the Fire department.
  2. We will place a bracelet on the baby for identification purposes.
  3. We will provide a matching bracelet to you, in case you change your mind and want to reclaim the baby.
  4. Complete the voluntary medical questionnaire if you want to.

What’s next

No questions will be asked. State law protects you from prosecution of abandonment.

A voluntary medical questionnaire must be offered. The questionnaire collects medical information critical to the health and survival of the infant. Identifying information that relates to you is strictly confidential.

You have up to 14 days from the time of surrender to reclaim the baby.

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