Does NY have a safe haven law?

In 2000, New York state enacted the Abandoned Infant Protection Act, or more commonly known as the Safe Haven Law, which allows a parent the ability to leave their unwanted baby up to 30 days of age anonymously without fear of being prosecuted.

How do I adopt a safe haven baby in NYC?

To place your infant for adoption, you must make an adoption plan and enter into a legal contract where you give up your right to custody of your child. Safe Haven arrangements do not require paperwork or contracts. The process is anonymous, as long as your baby is unharmed.

What states have the safe haven law?

of leaving the baby safely at a safe haven can be a defense to such charges. The States with an affirmative defense provision include Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming.

Is it against the law to abandon a baby?

Child abandonment is illegal in the United States, and depending upon the facts of the case and laws of the state in which it occurs could be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or felony criminal offense.

Can a mother parent get a safe haven baby back explain?

CAN THE PARENT GET THE INFANT BACK? Safe Haven law provides an anonymous and confidential safe place for a newborn when a mother or parent is unable or unwilling to care for the baby. The intent is that a parent would not return for the newborn.

What happens to babies in safe haven?

If you give up custody of your baby under a Safe Haven law, the baby will go into the social services foster care system and their future will be determined from there.

Can I leave my baby at the hospital if I don’t want it?

“If I don’t want my baby when I give birth, can I leave it at the hospital?” Yes. You can ask an on-duty hospital staff member if your hospital is a Safe Haven location and what steps you will need to take to surrender your baby. Or, you can contact a private adoption agency to make an adoption plan.

Can you keep a baby if you find it?

If you do find a baby, call the authorities right away. The state’s Department of Family and Child Services will likely take custody of the baby and try to find any relatives. If none are found, you can then try to apply to be a foster parent or to adopt the child.

What is considered child abandonment in NY?

New York Penal Law § 260.00: Abandonment of a child A person is guilty of abandonment of a child when, being a parent, guardian or other person legally charged with the care or custody of a child less than fourteen years old, he deserts such child in any place with intent to wholly abandon it.