BECAUSE NO ONE EVER HAS TO ABANDON A NEWBORN

This sign denotes a Safe Haven location - not ALL locations have signs

 

 

WHAT?

A Safe Haven is an alternative to abandonment, child abuse or murder.

 

"All 50 states have passed laws designed to 'protect newborn children from injury and death caused by abandonment' and exempts a relinquishing parent from prosecution, according to certain guidelines. Instead of abandoning an unwanted baby, a parent can hand an uninjured baby to someone who is on duty at an officially designated Safe Haven location, without fear of prosecution for abandonment." - Mother and Child Health Coalition

 

 

WHERE?

In Kansas: A newborn 45 days or less may be left in the hands of any staff on duty at hospitals, fire stations and city or county health departments.

 

In Missouri: A newborn 5 days or less may be left in the hands of any staff on duty at hospitals, fire stations, ambulance stations and police stations.

 

 

WHO?

Mostly women, they come from all education levels, ethnic backgrounds and income levels.

They likely had no prenatal care.

They are likely not married and have no relationship with the father of the baby.

Their average age is 18 to 22.

 

 

WHY?

They may feel:

► isolated and alone

► frightened

► in denial

► anger 

► guilt

► panic

► trapped

► helpless

► hopeless

that abandonment is their only option to bring ultimate closure to a traumatic event.

 

 

Help spread the word to prevent this tragedy.

 

 

►  Four children die every day in the United States as a result of child abuse. 

►  Three out of four of these victims are under the age of 4.

 

 ►  Newborns are at greatest risk during the first days of their life.

 

Safe Haven for Newborns Coalition of Greater Kansas City:

Our Goal: Raising awareness about Kansas and Missouri Safe Haven laws through comprehensive, coordinated, metro-wide promotion of Safe Havens as a child abuse prevention strategy.

 

For more information:

 

Dial 2-1-1 or (866) 320-5764

 

  

To join us, call 816-283-6242 X226