Safe Haven Law Was a Blessing for Two Iowa Babies in March

The Safe Haven Act is a law that allows parents, or someone with parental authorization, to legally and without risk of punishment, surrender an infant up to 90 days old. In March, two babies in the state were given over to state custody, and are with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

The babies are a baby girl, born March 17, and a baby boy, born March 20. Under the law, no information about the parents/guardians or names of the babies can be released.

Understanding the Safe Haven Law

The Safe Haven Act is a law that is enacted in all 50 U.S. States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Under the law, it's legal to turn over your custody of a baby without risk of legal penalty, so long as the infant has not been harmed or abused.

The law was enacted in Iowa in 2002. Since then, counting the two babies surrendered in March, 68 infants have been relinquished to the state.

Parents wishing to use the Safe Haven option in Iowa can safely leave their baby at hospitals, police, and fire stations. They can also call 911 and leave the baby with a first responder. Under the law, these locations/individuals are given immunity from civil or criminal liability.

Once a baby is turned over to the state, they'll attempt to place it in foster care until it is adopted.

Any Iowan wishing to become a foster parent can find more information here.

On a much happier note, we can all laugh at ourselves. While we're not known for having very distinctive accents in Iowa, there are still plenty of words we sure struggle to say! Check 'em out!