WISCONSIN— April is recognized as Safe Haven Awareness Month.
The Safe Haven law in Wisconsin allows a parent to leave their unharmed, newborn child under 72 hours old, in a safe place with certain individuals, no questions asked.
Wisconsin law allows, "a parent to drop off their newborn anonymously, to a hospital staff member, police officer or a 911 emergency medical staff person," said Tricia Burkett, coordinator of Safe Place for Newborns of Wisconsin.
What if I change my mind?
If you change your mind, contact the county's human or social services department in the county where you left the baby with a professional under the Safe Haven law.
Before the county will consider returning the baby to you, you must first prove you are the baby’s parent. A genetic test can prove you are the parent.
If you are the parent, you must take a number of steps before the child may be returned to you, including:
- Meeting with a county social worker
- Having the county worker visit your home or where you plan on living with the child
- Providing information on why you gave up the baby
- Providing information on the health of the baby
- Providing information on your ability to care for the baby, including parenting skills
- Providing information on anything that may keep you from caring for the baby
- Providing information on your relationship with the baby’s other parent
Based on all of the above information, you may be asked to receive services to make sure the child will be safe in your care.
The county and the court will make the final decision on the child’s return to your home.
Ascension St. Joseph, in Milwaukee, has been the headquarters for Safe Place for Newborns since 2010.
Safe Place for Newborns is made possible through support from the Ascension Wisconsin Foundation, donors and grant funding. If you would like to support this life-saving program you can donate here and select Safe Place for Newborns.
For more information about Safe Place for Newborns click here or get crisis help at 1-877-440-2229.