ODJFS Director Barbara Riley today announced that 43 newborn babies have been safely surrendered since Ohio's Safe Havens for Newborns law was enacted in April 2001. The figure is based on a recent annual survey of Ohio's county public children service agencies.

"If a parent finds themselves in a situation where they see abandonment as the only option, we want them to know that state law allows them to deliver their unharmed baby to a Safe Havens location," ODJFS Director Barbara Riley said.

A survey of county agencies determined that a total of six newborn babies were surrendered during the state fiscal year that ended June 30, including one each in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Hamilton, Lucas, Portage, and Summit counties.

Under the Safe Havens law, a parent (without fear of prosecution) may deliver their unharmed newborn, who is not more than 72 hours old, to a medical worker at a hospital, with a peace officer at a law enforcement agency or at an emergency service organization. Parents are not required to provide any personal information, but are asked to voluntarily fill-out a medical history questionnaire.

Once a baby has been received by a Safe Havens provider, the newborn will be placed in the custody of a county public children services agency. The agency will then look for an adoptive family.

In order to make the public aware of the Safe Havens law, ODJFS has created a Safe Havens Web site (http://jfs.ohio.gov/safehavens) and distributed posters, brochures, public service announcements and opinion pieces. Safe Havens information has been distributed to public service agencies and organizations, hospitals, emergency medical services, fire stations, police stations, schools, and media outlets across the state. Individual counties also have played a major role in promoting the program.

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For more information contact ODJFS Communications, 614-466-6650.