Rep. Sawyer Speaks Out for Safe Havens Law

HARTFORD – Two families who adopted Safe Havens babies today joined state officials at a press conference at Saint Francis Hospital to help educate the public about the law that has protected 11 children since the law took effect in 2000.

State Representative Pamela Z. Sawyer (R-Bolton), who helped shepherd this bill through the legislature back in 2000, spoke to the importance of enlightening people to the existence of this law.

“This is the 10th anniversary of this successful law being passed,” Rep. Sawyer said. “During this time, 11 babies have been protected, and we’ve also protected 11 mothers from prosecution.”

“As a mother, and soon-to-be grandmother, I know the joys of motherhood; unfortunately, I have also seen the pains of desperation. Thanks to Safe Havens we have helped the desperate while creating families and helping others realize the happiness of parenthood.”

Under the Safe Havens Law, if the baby is 30 days old or younger, the parent can bring the baby to any hospital emergency department in Connecticut, and the parent will not face criminal prosecution for abandonment. The parent is not required to give information, and the baby will be cared for and quickly placed by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) with a licensed family who wants to adopt. Since, the law took effect in 2000, there have been 11 Safe Haven babies — all of whom have been adopted or are living permanently with a relative.

“Our children are our most precious resource and this law helps protect them,” Sawyer said. “The alternative to having Safe Havens is finding infants abandoned without a trace which, by the way, continues to happen. We need to continue to educate people about their options; the law only works if a greatly distressed mother knows about it!”

Unfortunately, despite the law’s existence, four babies have been abandoned since 2000 without using the Safe Haven option. There were two in 2001 (in Greenwich and Brookfield), another in July 2004 (in Branford) and one in August 2006 (in Groton).

Fortunately, all four of these babies survived.

How the Safe Havens Law Works

• • Infants 30 days old or younger can be left at Safe Havens (any hospital emergency department)
• • The parent will be given a packet about the Department of Children and Families (DCF), and DCF will assume custody of the infant
• • Parental rights will be terminated so that the baby can be adopted
• • If the parent changes his or her mind, they should contact DCF and immediately apply to the court for an attorney to represent them
• • Parents who do not harm their infant cannot be criminally charged with abandonment if they use a Safe Haven
• • A nurse will meet the parent in a private room to obtain medical history, but the parent does not have to answer any questions

 To learn how to become a foster or adoptive parent, please call 1-888-KID-HERO