64 babies were safely surrendered in Louisiana in last 10 years

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services reported that 64 newborns were relinquished under the state's Safe Haven Law in the past 10 years.

Safe Haven laws were created for parents in crisis to safely relinquish their babies to specific locations to be protected and given medical care until a permanent home is found.

The law allows the parent to remain anonymous and shielded from criminal liability in exchange for surrendering the baby to a haven.

In Louisiana, the infant must be younger than 60 days old and not a victim of abuse or neglect to be given up. The baby must also be given to an employee at a designated haven or an emergency responder after the patient calls 911.

According to a DCFS audit, 19 of the 20 cases from calendar years 2020 to 2023 were successfully placed in homes. In one case, the child was returned to the parent.

Safe Havens in Louisiana are licensed hospitals, medical clinics and child advocacy centers during normal business hours and manned fire and police stations.

"Although Louisiana designates several types of Safe Haven facilities, many never received any relinquishments during CY 2013 through 2023," the audit said.

The audit said that 55 babies in Louisiana were given up in hospitals, and 47 of those were given up at birth. Seven were relinquished at fire stations, and two were given to EMS providers or 911.

According to the audit, 2013 had the highest number of relinquishments at 11. Seven babies were given up at birth, three were relinquished at a hospital and one was placed at a fire station.

According to the audit, thirteen babies were surrendered in Baton Rouge from 2013 to 2023, while New Orleans had the most, with 17.

There are 33 Safe Haven locations in the Baton Rouge area, including Oceans Behavioral Hospital of Baton Rouge, the Baton Rouge Police Department, the Southern University Police Department, Baton Rouge General and Seaside Health System.

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