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Under Arizona's Safe Haven law, a parent or agent of a parent may anonymously give up an unharmed infant who is 72 hours old or younger to a Safe Haven provider without any questions asked. Parents can feel safe and confident that they won't be charged with child abuse if they are to give up their newborn baby in this manner.
What exactly is a Safe Haven provider? Arizona Revised Statute §13-3623.01 says that Save Haven providers include firefighters who are on duty, emergency medical technicians on duty, staff members at a health care institution, and staff members or volunteers at selected private child welfare agencies, selected adoption agencies, and churches.
A parent essentially gives up their custody of the child when they hand over the baby to a Safe Haven provider. This is of course true if the parent does not express an intent to return to the newborn infant, and if the Save Haven provider reasonably believes that the child is indeed a newborn infant.
The whole purpose of Arizona's Safe Haven law is to protect newborn babies from abandonment and to protect parents who no longer want custody of their newborn baby. The law provides parents with options if they don't want their baby. Parents or agents can remain anonymous and they don't have to answer any questions. Other states also have safe haven laws that are similar to that of Arizona's law. More information about the state's Safe Haven law can be found through the Department of Economic Security or even through Phoenix family lawyers.
Related Resources:
- Parental Abandonment of Children (FindLaw's LawBrain)
- The Adoptability Of Abandoned Babies (FindLaw's Writ)
