What is the safe baby law in California?
Asked by: Audie Eichmann | Last update: January 5, 2026Score: 4.8/5 (30 votes)
The law allows a parent or legal guardian to confidentially surrender an infant, three days old or younger, to any hospital emergency room or designated fire station. As long as the baby has not been abused or neglected, the person may surrender the baby without fear of arrest or prosecution for child abandonment.
What is the safe surrender baby law in California?
What is the Safely Surrendered Baby Law? The state of California passed the Safely Surrendered Baby Law to give parents or guardians the choice to legally and safely leave a baby three days old or younger with an employee at any Los Angeles County hospital or fire station, no questions asked.
What is the baby Moses law in California?
The law's intent is to save lives of newborn infants at risk of abandonment by encouraging parents or persons with lawful custody to safely surrender the infant within 72 hours of birth, with no questions asked.
Is the Safe Haven Law still in effect?
Alabama, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Michigan, Washington, and Wisconsin currently limit relinquishment to infants who are no more than 72 hours old.
What is a safe haven for newborns in California?
This law allows a birth parent, or any adult with legal custody of the child, who is either unwilling or unable to care for their newborn, the option to legally, confidentially and safely surrender that child to a hospital emergency room or other designated location within 3 days of birth, without criminal prosecution ...
Safely Surrendered Baby Awareness month in Kern County
What happens to safe surrender babies?
What happens to the baby? After a complete medical exam, the baby will be released and placed in a safe and loving home, and the adoption process will begin. What happens to the parent or surrendering adult? Nothing.
What is the SIDS rate in California?
In California in 2022, the infant mortality rate due to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) was 26.0 per 100,000 live births. This accounted for 6.3% of all infant deaths in California in 2022.
What are the disadvantages of the safe haven law?
Children are also at a severe disadvantage under safe haven laws. Unlike the traditional adoption process, new parents are much more likely not to know anything about their baby's medical history which makes it more difficult for parents to provide adequate healthcare for their children.
Can you keep a baby if you find one?
Finding a baby is even more serious. 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 happens to the baby in a safe haven?
When a baby is surrendered at a Safe Haven location, that child enters foster care and has little to no information about his or her biological history. Safe Haven drop-off is rare despite the many women who feel they're no longer able to care for their infants.
What is the mother law in California?
In California, the law recognizes the rights of mothers in custody matters. Mothers have the legal right to seek full custody if it is in the child's best interests. The court considers the mother's role in the child's life, their ability to provide a stable environment, and the child's safety when determining custody.
Which states are safe haven states?
Among the states with notable Safe Haven laws is South Dakota, which allows infants to be surrendered up to 59 days old. Similarly, Kansas permits surrenders of infants up to 45 days old, while California, Arizona, and Hawaii have a 72-hour time frame for surrender after birth.
How many kids can you have in one bedroom in California?
[§89387] Adequate bedroom space is provided: (a)(1) No more than 2 children share a bedroom. (a)(2) No sharing a bedroom by children of opposite sex unless each child is under 5 years of age. (a)(2)(A) A minor parent may share a bedroom with the minor parent's child of the opposite sex.
Can I leave my baby at a church?
States have enacted safe haven laws to help stop mothers from leaving their abandoned babies in unsafe locations. These laws allow mothers to leave their unwanted babies in designated places such as hospitals or churches without fearing criminal charges.
How many days is considered child abandonment in California?
The child has been left by both parents, or a parent with sole custody, in the care and custody of another person for a period of at least six (6) months. During this period, the legal parent, or parents, have not provided financial support or had communication with the child.
Is it illegal to leave a baby in the car in California?
What is Kaitlyn's Law? Since 2001, it has been illegal in California to leave a child age 6 or younger inside a motor vehicle without the supervision of someone at least 12 years old. The law is named for 6-month-old Kaitlyn Russell, who died from heat related causes after being left alone in a car.
Are there safe haven baby boxes in California?
Safe surrender sites are hospitals or other locations, typically fire stations, approved by the board of supervisors or fire agency in each county. To request Safely Surrendered Baby Kits, please complete the order form, Safely Surrendered Baby Kit Order Form. For more information please email ssb@dss.ca.gov.
How do hospitals dispose of stillborn babies?
The provider may dispose of the miscarried fetus by burial or cremation. You can ask your healthcare provider if you want to know the specific method for disposition. A pathology exam can give you and your doctor a better understanding of why the pregnancy ended.
Does baby DNA stay in mother after abortion?
Conclusion: Fetal cells in the maternal circulation are undetectable 30 days after induced abortion or spontaneous pregnancy loss. Fetal cells may be harbored in maternal organs.
Are Safe Haven laws punish parents who abandon their children safely?
Safe haven laws permit parents to legally abandon their children in certain circumstances. 3 Under these laws, a parent may leave a child in specified locations, giving no information about the child's familial or medical history, and face no criminal repercussions.
What is the safe haven law in California?
The law allows a parent or legal guardian to confidentially surrender an infant, three days old or younger, to any hospital emergency room or designated fire station. As long as the baby has not been abused or neglected, the person may surrender the baby without fear of arrest or prosecution for child abandonment.
Is it illegal to hide a pregnancy from the father?
Is it illegal to have a baby and not tell the father? No. But consider the child's needs.
What month is SIDS the highest?
The peak incidence of SIDS occurs between 1 – 4 months of age; 90% of cases occur before 6 months of age. Babies continue to be at risk for SIDS up to 12 months.
Can a newborn sleep on their belly?
Place babies on their backs to sleep for at least the first year. Placing babies on their stomachs too soon increases risk of SIDS. Supervised tummy time during waking hours is essential for a baby's development and motor skills.
What is the stillbirth rate in California?
Learn more about the impact of stillbirth in your state. California loses 2,201 babies a year on average to stillbirth. In California, the stillbirth rate is 5.07 per 1,000 live births.