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Safe Haven
Louisiana is a Safe Haven State.
DCFS created these commercials in 2009 to educate Louisianians about the state's Safe Haven law.
It’s LegalIf you or someone you know is not ready to take care of a newborn baby, Louisiana’s Safe Haven Law offers parents a safe, legal option.
Parents who are unable to care for baby can bring their baby less than 31-days old to an emergency designated facility, or Safe Haven. By leaving the baby in the care of an employee at a Safe Haven facility, parents can give up custody of a baby with no questions asked.
It’s SafeEmployees at designated Safe Havens are trained to know what to do to keep the baby safe and to keep the situation confidential.
As long as the parent gives the baby to an employee and the baby shows no signs of abuse or neglect, the parent can simply walk away and know that their baby will be safe.
Leaving a baby unattended, for instance on a doorstep or in a bathroom, is illegal and will not meet the criteria of the Safe Haven Law.
It’s AnonymousParents do not have to give their name or any other information, and Safe Haven employees will keep everything confidential. Parents can call 1-800-CHILDREN to learn about their parental rights or anonymously give medical information about the baby to be used for adoption purposes.
Designated Safe Haven LocationsA "designated emergency care facility" includes any of the following:
• Licensed Hospitals in Louisiana
• Public Health Units
• Emergency Medical Service Providers
• Medical Clinics
• Fire Stations
• Police Stations
• Pregnancy Crisis Centers
• Child Advocacy Centers
If a parent is unable to travel to a Safe Haven facility, he or she may call 911 and a law enforcement officer or EMS provider will pick up the infant and transport the child to a hospital. It’s Simple
- Go to the nearest Safe Haven facility (i.e. hospital, public health unit, EMS unit, medical clinic, fire or police station, pregnancy crisis center or child advocacy center.
- Give the baby to an employee at the facility. Parents should tell the employee that they want to utilize the Safe Haven Law.
- An employee will offer the parent a card with a toll-free number, 1-800-CHILDREN, to call if the parent wants to give medical information about the baby or learn about parental rights. The parent can either take the card or just walk away.
What happens to the baby?The baby will be brought to the nearest medical facility for a health assessment and to receive any necessary medical care.
Then the Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS) will find a family to care for the baby. DCFS will begin proceedings to obtain custody of the baby to free the child for adoption.
What happens to the parent?As long as the baby shows no signs of abuse or neglect, the parent will be protected by the Safe Haven Law and will not be considered guilty of a criminal act of neglect, abandonment or child cruelty.
What if the parent changes his/her mind?The parent can seek to reclaim parental rights within 30 days by contacting the local parish Child Welfare office.
More InformationMore information regarding the Safe Haven Law is available by calling toll-free 1-800-CHILDREN (244-5373) or through the local Child Welfare office.
History of Louisiana's Safe Haven Law
A series of high-profile infant abandonment cases across the country prompted the Louisiana Legislature to combat the problem. In 2000, Louisiana enacted the Safe Haven law, amending the Children's Code Articles 1101 and 1193 and Title XVII of the Children's Code, Articles 1701-1706, to provide for the Safe Haven relinquishment of newborns. That Code again was amended in 2003. The entire Safe Haven Law is contained in LA Children’s Code Chapter 13, Articles 1149-1160 (pdf).More about Safe Haven
DCFS (then the Department of Social Services) implemented policies and procedures in 2004 relating to the state's Safe Haven law. In that time, ten infants have been successfully and safely relinquished to the state.
Safe Haven Cases since 2004
| Date |
Location |
| May 2004 |
Slidell area |
| November 2004 |
Lafayette area |
| April 2005 |
New Orleans area |
| May 2005 |
New Orleans area |
| June 2007 |
Lafayette area |
| July 2007 |
New Orleans area |
| September 2007 |
Shreveport area |
| October 2008 |
New Orleans area |
| March 2009 |
Lake Charles area |
| April 2009 |
Lake Charles area |
| January 2010 | New Orleans area |
| April 2010 | New Orleans area |
| September 2010 | Baton Rouge area |
| October 2010 | Lake Charles area |
| October 2010 | Covington area |
| April 2011 | Covington area |
| May 2011 | Baton Rouge area |
I work at a Designated Emergency Care Facilities. Where can I find information about my role?
Press Releases
» (10.07.10) Newborn safely relinquished through Safe Haven law
» (05.07.10) Newborn Safely Relinquished Through Safe Haven Law
» (07.14.09) Safe Haven Television Commercial Begins Statewide Run
» (04.09.09) Newborn Safely Handed Over at Safe Haven Facility, Second Since February Launch of Public Awareness Campaign
» (03.11.09) Newborn Safely Handed Over at Lake Charles Safe Haven Facility One Month After State Public Awareness Campaign
» (02.11.09) DSS Launches Safe Haven Public Awareness Campaign
» (02.11.09) Louisiana's Safe Haven Law Designed to Keep Unwanted Newborns Safe, Parents Free from Prosecution
