Village of Lincolnwood Recognized as First 100 Towns in Compliance with Abandoned Newborn Infant Act
A new Illinois law creates "safe havens" for newborn babies. It gives a desperate parent who cannot keep a baby a responsible alternative to abandonment. And, it's legal. Parents don't have to give their names. The baby will get medical care and be adopted. Parents who do not harm their babies cannot be prosecuted for abandonment if they give their newborn (up to 3 days old) to a staff member at a safe haven. In Illinois, these safe havens are hospitals, emergency medical facilities, manned fire stations, and police stations. To stop the needless deaths of innocent babies, it is necessary to inform these desperate parents that this option exists!
Facts regarding the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act:
* Every hospital, emergency medical facility, police station, and manned fire station must accept a relinquished newborn infant.
* A newborn infant is defined as a child who a licensed physician reasonably believes is 72 hours old or less at the time the child is relinquished to an emergency medical facility, police station, or fire station, and is not an abused or neglected child.
* Relinquishing is the act of leaving the newborn infant with personnel of the facility.
* The infant should be transported to the nearest hospital as soon as transportation can be arranged
* The act of relinquishing a newborn infant does not constitute a basis for a finding of abuse, neglect, or abandonment.
* Neither a child protective investigation nor a criminal investigation may be initiated solely because a newborn infant is relinquished.
* If there is suspected child abuse or neglect that is not based solely on the newborn infant's relinquishment the mandated reporters must report the abuse or neglect.
* If there is no evidence of abuse or neglect, the relinquishing person has the right to remain anonymous and to leave the facility at any time and not be pursued or followed.
* Before the relinquishing person leaves the facility, personnel shall verbally explain that by relinquishing the infant anonymously, he or she will have to petition the court if he or she desires to prevent the termination of parental rights and regain custody of the infant.
* Personnel shall also offer the relinquishing person an informational packet that contains the following:
- An Illinois Adoption Registry and Medical Information Exchange application forms
- Written notice within 60 days for the termination of parental rights and placement of the infant for adoption
- A resource list of counselors
Call the toll free crisis line for more information at 1.312.440.0229 or visit the website at www.SaveAbandonedBabies.org, or the Newborn Lifeline Network at 1.866.694.BABY. |
