Safe Haven Awareness Day

April 6, 2016

I am proud to say that Gov. Malloy declared April 4, 2016 Safe Havens Awareness Day in Connecticut. It is important to promote awareness of this law as it reminds birth parents that an alternative solution to their situation exists. Safe Haven ultimately provides refuge for unwanted children.

I attended a press conference to promote awareness of the Safe Haven law, which states that a distressed birth parent who is unable to care for their infant, 30 days or younger, may leave him or her with an employee at any hospital during regular business hours. The birth parent would not be subject to arrest for abandonment and would be guaranteed anonymity.

Since the law was enacted in 2000, 27 newborns that have been dropped off at hospitals have been adopted into loving homes. According to the Department of Children and Families, three babies have been handed over at hospital emergency departments already this year: two on January 9 and one on February 22.

For more information about Save Haven, visit: http://safehaven.tv/states/connecticut/