This NJ Law Has Given ‘Safe Haven’ To 100 Surrendered Babies

It can be the difference between a gruesome story on the evening news – or a chance at a happy and healthy life for a newborn baby. That’s the impact of New Jersey’s Safe Haven Infant Protection Act, a grateful parent says.

Earlier this week, officials marked a big milestone for the state’s long-running Safe Haven program: 100 protected infants.

New Jersey’s law allows parents to safely – and anonymously – surrender unharmed infants up to 30-days-old at hospitals, police stations, fire stations, and ambulance/rescue squad stations.

Once cleared by a medical professional, the surrendered infants are placed into an adoptive home through the Department of Children and Families’ (DCF) Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P).

Parents who follow the guidelines will not face any legal consequences, officials say.

First launched 25 years ago, the law was expanded in 2023 to include hospitals as accepted surrender sites. Read More: NJ Gov Signs Law Expanding ‘Safe Haven’ Program

It can be a life-saving opportunity for a baby, said Leslie, a South Jersey mother who adopted a child through the program (watch the video below, or view it online here).

“[Safe Haven] is possibly one of the best things that New Jersey or any state has ever put into play,” she said.

“It is quite frankly the difference between a gruesome story on the eleven o’clock news, because somebody felt they didn’t have an option,” she added.

According to the Department of Children and Families, other states joined New Jersey in passing Safe Haven laws in response to a number of highly publicized incidents where infants were unsafely abandoned in public places – a phenomenon which rose by 62 percent in the mid-to-late-1990s.

“Out of the 105 unsafe abandonments that occurred nationwide during that time period, 33 resulted in fatalities,” the DCF reported. “These tragic incidents, including two that occurred in New Jersey, garnered national media attention and prompted state legislators and child and family advocates to find a solution that would help save babies’ lives.”

Since the 2020 school year, New Jersey high schools have been teaching students about the Safe Haven law as part of the schools’ Core Curriculum Content Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

In addition, Gov. Phil Murphy signed a joint resolution designating September of every year as “Safe Haven Awareness Month.”

“The Safe Haven law creates room for grace and compassion for individuals who make the difficult decision to surrender a child, without shame, blame or stigma,” DCF Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer said.

“It prioritizes the child's wellbeing and creates a safety valve for New Jersey residents who are unable – for whatever reason – to care for a baby,” Beyer said.

>> For more information about the Safe Haven program, visit www.njsafehaven.org or call the Safe Haven Hotline at 1-877-839-2339

• See Related: NJ Parents Recap Emotional Journey Into Adoption: ‘Love And Patience’
• See Related: Adopted For The Holidays: Watch New Jersey Families Cry With Joy

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