The Baby Safe Haven program can prevent infant abandonment, here's how.
NEW BEDFORD —The discovery of a dead infant in Fort Taber in December casts light on the state's 20-year-old Baby Safe Haven program.
The law was approved in 2004, and provides an alternative to those who would abandon a newborn infant.
It was passed on the heels of a similar law being approved in Texas in 1999, the nation's first. Today, all 50 states have similar variations of the law.
In Massachusetts, it allows a parent to legally surrender newborn infants, 7 days old or younger, at a hospital, police station, or manned fire station without facing criminal prosecution.
Andrea Grossman, state Dept. of Children and Families' public affairs director, said there have been six newborns reported to DCF as Safe Haven babies since 2019.
The breakdown by fiscal years, which run from July 1 to June 30, is: FY19: 0, FY20: 2, FY21: 1, FY22: 0, FY23: 3.
She said none of the Safe Haven reports during this time were from the New Bedford area.
What happens when an infant is left at a Baby Safe Haven?
The DCF takes custody of the infants. After the newborn is medically screened, the DCF will place the baby in a DCF-approved foster or pre-adoptive home.
There must be no signs of abuse or neglect of the infant.
If child abuse or neglect — not based solely on the newborn infant having been left at the facility — is suspected, an investigation would be conducted.
If child abuse is not suspected, the case would be handled as a "Safe Haven Voluntary Application for Services."
The DCF says it's preferred that the infant be left at an acute care hospital emergency department if possible.
How do you contact Baby Safe Haven?
Baby Safe Haven 24/7 support contact numbers include 1-877-796-HOPE (4673), 1-888-510-BABY (2229), and 1-866-814-SAFE (7233).
If one or more of the parents is available at the surrender, DCF recommends thanking them for bringing the infant to a safe place.
The DCF also recommends asking them if they're willing to provide information, though it's not a requirement.
The DCF says to explain that situations often arise, or children have questions as they grow older, that only the biological parents can answer.
Information can include the newborn's name, where the baby was born, its medical history, and the biological family's medical history.
4,707 surrenders nationally since 1999
Nationally, there have been 4,707 surrenders since 1999, and there were 71 in 2023, according to the National Safe Haven Alliance.
The NSHA is a non-profit founded in 2004 to prevent infant abandonment throughout the country.
While each state has a similar law, they're often identified by different names, like “Safe Surrender,” “Baby Moses,” or “Safe Place for Newborns,” according to the NSHA.
There are other differences. For instance, North Dakota allows the surrender of babies up to 1 year old, which is the oldest in the nation.
California, Michigan and Colorado's age limits are three days, which is the lower end of the national spectrum.
Each state includes hospitals as a Safe Haven, but other locations differ per state.
The NSHA can provide information on the differing laws in each state. Its 24/7 crisis hotline is 1-888-510-BABY (2229).
Progress being made in 'Baby Doe' case in New Bedford
Officials say progress is being made in the investigation into the discovery of "Baby Doe" found deceased at Fort Taber in December.
"We have made significant progress," said Bristol County District Attorney spokesman Gregg Miliote, but added he couldn't comment on the specifics of the ongoing investigation.
Two separate investigations into newborn remains found at a Rochester recycling facility last April and November, respectively, are also ongoing, according to the Plymouth County District Attorney's office. The remains found in April may have been fetal, according to investigators.
The deceased infant found along the Fort Taber walking path Dec. 9 was male and had likely been dead for one to four weeks, according to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office.
An autopsy by the state Medical Examiner was to have been performed to determine the official cause of death. It has not been made public yet.
Detectives were also reviewing several weeks worth of surveillance footage from the surrounding area.
The DA's office has also partnered with a private lab in Texas to perform extensive genealogical and forensic testing of DNA and other evidence collected in this case.
Other evidence collected was also being tested, according to the DA's Office, but couldn't be revealed due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.
Investigators have been asking anyone with information about this case to come forward, either in person or anonymously.
To report a tip, you can contact New Bedford Police at 508-991-6300, call the DA's Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit at 508-961-1901 or submit an anonymous tip via text message by testing the word “Bristol” to the phone number CRIMES (274637).
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Baby Save Haven program available in MA; how it works
