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Frequently Asked
Questions
What is Safe Place for Newborns?
Safe Place for Newborns promotes the new Wisconsin law which
provides a mother, who might otherwise abandon her newborn, with the
option of anonymously leaving her unharmed baby, up to 3 days old,
with the employee of a hospital without fear of prosecution.
If she can not get to a hospital, she can give her newborn to an
emergency medical technician or even a police officer. If
needed she can even call 911 for assistance.
Will the mother be asked any questions, or will the authorities be
contacted?
No authorities will be contacted and the
mother's identity will not be asked. The mother will be asked
if she is willing to answer a few medical background questions for
the baby's records. The mother will also be asked if she would
like to receive any medical care.
Why 3 days?
The first hours of a newborn's life are the
most vulnerable, therefore, more urgent. Also, Wisconsin
already has Crisis Nurseries that receive children of all ages.
Why is there a need for Safe Place?
There is an escalating crisis in the United
States. Mothers are keeping their pregnancy a secret, and then
discarding the child after the birth. Safe Place for Newborns
provides an alternative to frightened women, who, in a moment of
desperation, may do something drastic.
What happens to a child left with
Safe Place?
The hospital will provide any needed medical care. They will
contact the Department of Health and Human Services, who will assume
custody of the baby, and follow normal child abandonment procedures.
What happens if the mother or father
changes their mind and wants their baby back?
They can
contact the hospital. The hospital will refer them to the
Department of Health and Human Services. Normal identification
procedures will be followed and the DHHS will determine the best
course of action.
If the newborn is injured or
harmed, but a mother chooses to use the program, could she be turned
away or face prosecution?
No newborn will be turned away. However, the guarantees of anonymity
and freedom from prosecution only apply to those mothers bringing
unharmed newborns.
Can anyone other than the mother of
a newborn use this program without fear of prosecution?
Yes, if the person is acting with the mother's permission. If the
newborn is unharmed, the father or immediate family can use the
program within 72 hours of birth.
How can I help?
Since we are still a "work in progress" we welcome
offers to help! Presently, we are working on distribution of
the Safe Place poster. We want to get it in front of as many
young people as possible. Suggestions? Want to
help? Contact Safe Place at 608-225-5544.
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