Resource Number: 17324292
Description
Safe Havens is a law that allows anyone to drop off a newborn baby, within the first 30 days of life, to any hospital emergency room in Connecticut, without being subject to arrest for abandonment. (However, this act does not protect the parent from being arrested and prosecuted if abuse or neglect has occurred). When the parent takes the baby to the emergency room, a nurse will meet with the parent in a private area and a bracelet will be placed on the baby's wrist and also the mother's, with a code to match their identities, in case, the parent returns to pick up the infant. Within 30 days, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) will take custody of the infant and begin to develop a plan for adoption, if the parent does not return. DCF is required by law to notify both parents of its intent to keep custody of the infant and to seek termination of parental rights. If the parent has provided his/her name and address, a court officer will notify the parents of the court action and the first hearing date. Voluntary Termination of Parental Rights program at DCF allows parents of a child between age 31 days and 18 years who are considering relinquishing parental rights must contact the DCF Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-842-2288.

Program Phones: 860-647-4777 Voice

Website: www.echn.org

Categorized as:

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