Baby Safe Haven Law

Safe Haven law, also known in some states as Baby Moses law, is the popular name for United States laws that decriminalize leaving unharmed infants with statutorily designated private persons so that the child becomes a ward of the state. "Safe Haven" laws typically let parents remain nameless to the court, often using a numbered bracelet system as the only means of linking the baby to the mother. Some States treat safe haven surrenders as child dependency or abandonment, with a complaint being filed for such in juvenile court. The parent either defaults or answers the complaint. Other States treat safe haven surrenders as adoption surrenders, hence a waiver of parental rights). Police stations, hospitals, rescue squads, and fire houses are all typical locations to which the safe haven law applies

[forum_admin]

A little over a year ago, the WSJ chronicled the plight of two Nebraska parents, Sue and Avery Quakenbush, who had recently availed themselves of a new Nebraska “safe haven” law that allowed troubled mothers to put children, and even teenagers, in the hands of the state.

Shortly after the story ran, however, Nebraska’s Department of Health and Human Services — and the child’s guardian ad litem — obtained a gag order on the family, intended to ban them from speaking publicly about their child’s confidential medical issues.

The news today: the gag order has been lifted. The Nebraska Court of Appeals on Tuesday removed the order on the couple, saying it couldn’t find enough evidence of imminent harm to the boy — who is now 18 — to justify restraining his parents’ speech.

Read more:

Gag Order Lifted on Nebraska Parents Who Used 'Safe Haven' Law‎