TEXAS – After an infant was dropped off on someone’s front doorstep alone this past week, KPRC 2 wanted to look into the parameters of the ‘Baby Moses Law’ in Texas and how it works.
In an effort to offer support and protection to parents facing challenges of caring for their newborns, the Baby Moses law, also known as the Safe Haven law, provides a vital lifeline.
This law ensures that parents can make a safe and legal choice to entrust their infants to designated safe places without fear of repercussion or questioning.
Under the Safe Haven law, parents struggling with the responsibility of caring for a newborn can confidentially bring their baby to approved locations, including hospitals, fire stations, free-standing emergency centers, or emergency medical services (EMS) stations.
“Of the over 100 babies who are abandoned each year in Texas, about 16 will be found dead. An unknown number of murdered babies are never found,” according to one Texas city’s website. “The Baby Moses Law is a solution to the tragedy by providing a responsible alternative to mothers who might otherwise abandon, harm, or murder a newborn child.”
The law was nicknamed ‘The Baby Moses Law’ after the biblical story of Moses being put in the basket by his birth mother in hopes of providing him with a better life. It was signed into law by George W. Bush when he was a governor back on June 3, 1999.
Here’s how it works
According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, a parent can drop off their baby and trust that they will receive medical care and attention.
Following their medical evaluation, the baby will be placed with an emergency provider.
By providing a pathway for a safe and anonymous drop-off, the Safe Haven law aims to mitigate potential harm to infants and offer parents a viable alternative during times of distress.
It is important to note that if you leave your unharmed infant at a Safe Haven, you will not be prosecuted for abandonment or neglect.
But, unfortunately, not all babies will meet the requirement for this law.
Here are the Baby Moses qualifications
- Your baby must be 60 days old or younger and unharmed and safe.
- You may take your baby to any hospital, fire station, or emergency medical services (EMS) station in Texas.
- You need to give your baby to an employee who works at one of these safe places and tell this person that you want to leave your baby at a Safe Haven.
- You may be asked by an employee for family or medical history to make sure that your baby receives the care they need.
Since the baby found on the doorstep in southeast Houston was between the ages of six months to a year old, he would not have applied under the Baby Moses Law, however, we believe this information may help someone in the future if faced with this decision.
For additional details, go to the Baby Moses Project or call the Texas Baby Moses Hotline at 1-877-904-SAVE (1-877-904-7283).