A Secret Safe Place for Newborns

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A Secret Safe Place for Newborns

• Understanding the process for handling a newborn
  surrender to a
• Health Care Facility

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Its the Law

• The Tennessee Safe Haven Law, enacted on July 1,
  2001, allows mothers of newborns to surrender
  unharmed babies to hospitals, birthing centers,
  community health clinics, and outpatient, walk-in
  clinics within 72 hours of birth, anonymously and
  without fear of prosecution.
• Behind the law In October 2000, a newborn baby
  girl was found abandoned in a shed in Townsend,
  Tennessee. The 14 year old mother had concealed
  her pregnancy and given birth to the infant alone
  in her home. The mother hid the baby in a
  neighbors shed. The baby died of severe
  dehydration the mother was charged with first
  degree murder and sentenced to state custody. Two
  local women made it their mission that history
  would not be repeated and gained the support of
  legislators to draft the Safe Haven Law.

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Her Baby and her secret is safe.

• As long as the baby is unharmed and the mother
  acts within 72 hours of birth, she will not be
  prosecuted and she may act in complete anonymity.

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What is a Secret, Safe Place for Newborns?

• It's a place where a new mom desperate to hide an
  unwanted baby can bring her newborn instead of
  abandoning the infant in an unsafe place, where
  it may die.
• Under the Safe Haven Law, newborns can be
  surrendered at hospitals, birthing centers,
  community health clinics, and outpatient, walk-in
  clinics.

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What might happen in a Hospital

• If a baby is left anywhere on the Hospital
  property, staff will ask the mother to accompany
  them to the Emergency Department. If the mother
  refuses, the staff member will take the newborn
  immediately to the Emergency Department.

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Our Protocol

• If she agrees, walk the mother and newborn to the
  Emergency Departments nurses desk and ask for a
  nurse. The nurse will then assist the mother as
  outlined for the Emergency Department staff in
  policy.
• If she refuses, take the infant immediately to
  the Emergency Department.

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What happens to the surrendered newborn?

• After handing the unharmed baby to health care
  workers, the newborn will be examined by a doctor
  and admitted to the hospital nursery. The baby
  will be released from the hospital as soon as
  medical clearance is given and an appropriate
  home is found through the Department of
  Childrens Services, usually within 72 hours of
  admittance. Attempts will be made to place the
  baby with a permanent adoptive family.

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What does the mother need to do?

• If the baby is unharmed and the mother decides to
  leave the newborn voluntarily, she is free to
  leave. The police and the mothers parents will
  not be called. The mother should be given a
  packet which contains a brief medical history
  form for the baby, which will be helpful if the
  baby is adopted. If she chooses, she can mail in
  the form later.

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What do you say to the mother?

• Script by staff member This is a secret safe
  place. It is OK to leave your baby with us. We
  will take care of him/her. Is there anything we
  should know about this babys medical history so
  we can better care for him/her?

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Can someone other than the mother surrender the
newborn?

• No. The mother must leave the baby voluntarily.
  That way it is known that this was her decision
  and she was not pressured or forced to give up
  her baby. No one has to know that she brought her
  newborn to the facility, but she must be the
  person to bring her newborn in.

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What if the mother changes her mind?

• The newborn should be assigned an identification
  number/bracelet, which will be given to the
  mother. It may be possible for the mother to
  reclaim her baby if she changes her mind. She
  will have thirty days under the law to change her
  mind and make contact with the Department of
  Childrens Services.

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The State Helpline

• The mother can call the Helpline at
  1-866-699-SAFE and have her options and
  requirements explained to her during her
  pregnancy, or after the birth of her child. All
  calls are confidential and anonymous. There are
  no caller i.d. systems and calls are not
  recorded. It is answered by medical personnel.

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A Secret Safe Place The Organization

• The mission of A Secret Safe Place for Newborns
  of Tennessee, Inc. is to protect the most
  defenseless among us, newborn infants, by
  educating and informing women and communities of
  safe, secret options under the Safe Haven Law.

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More information can be accessed by contacting
the following

• A Secret Safe Place for Newborns of Tennessee,
  Inc.
• 1133 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway
• Maryville, TN 37804
• Business Phone [phone]
• HELPLINE 1-866-699-SAFE
• Fax [phone]
• Email smccloud8_at_bellsouth.net
• www.secretsafeplacetn.org

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Can you answer these questions?

• What Is A Secret Safe Place?
• A place where a new mom desperate to hide an
  unwanted baby can bring her newborn.
• Can you identify where you can find A Secret Safe
  Place?
• Any hospital, birthing center, community health
  clinic, or walk-in clinic in the state of
  Tennessee.

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More questions

• What do you do?
• Accept the newborn and ask the mother to
  accompany you to the Emergency Department.
• If she refuses, immediately take the newborn to
  the Emergency
• Department.