One girl is now in the care of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the Safe Haven Act.
Until she is adopted, she will be placed with a foster family.
The baby girl, born on November 11, is the sixth safe haven baby of 2024, according to a press release from HHS. Ten babies were transferred in 2023.
The Safe Haven Act allows parents to drop off an infant, up to 90 days old, at a fire station, hospital or other approved facility without prosecution for abandonment. Parents can also call 911 and physically transfer custody to a first responder.
Since the Safe Haven Act was passed in 2002, 72 children have been surrendered.
Kyle Werner is a reporter for the Register. Reach him at kwerner@dmreg.com.
This article originally appeared in the Des Moines Register: Baby girl surrendered to the state under Iowa’s Safe Haven Act
