Baby girl now in Iowa Health and Human Services care under Safe Haven Law

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) - A baby girl, born July 30, has become the fifth baby surrendered this year under the state’s Safe Haven Law, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services announced Friday.

Iowa HSS is currently caring for the baby.

Iowa’s Safe Haven Act allows parents in crisis to relinquish an infant up to 90 days old. Hospitals and police and fire stations are among the locations designated as safe havens.

Once surrendered, Iowa HHS works to place the infants in approved foster family homes while they await permanent adoption.

A total of 71 infants have been surrendered under the Safe Haven Law since it passed.

This marks the fifth case so far this year. There were 10 infants relinquished to HHS last year.

Find more information on Iowa’s Safe Haven law here.

Anyone interested in becoming a foster parent, or adopting a child, can visit iowafosterandadoption.org.

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