The Safe Haven program started in Arkansas December 2020.
According to the Department of Human Services, In Arkansas, the Safe Haven Law allows parent to give up an infant anonymously. The purpose of Safe Haven is to prevent babies from being hurt or killed by unsafe abandonment. Unsafely abandoning is illegal and puts the infant in extreme danger that can only result in the baby's death.
At this time, The Dumas Police Department have not had any children dropped off to this date., but it is still an office that parents can use if they find themselves in a situation where they cannot care for the child. Arkansas is joining other states to provide this service and to protect infants from unsafe situations.
A parent who does not want an infant or who is unable to care for an infant can give up custody of a baby 30 days or younger legally and anonymously. The Safe Haven law allows a baby to given up at any hospital emergency room, police station, sheriff's office, or Arkansas State Police office. The baby must be left with an employee and not at the door. The only people who can legally drop off a new born are the parents.
There is no information required when the baby is dropped off, but a parent may share the baby's age or health status. As long as the baby has not been abused, the parent may give up the baby anonymously and without fear of arrest or prosecution. After the child is given up it will be take into the Arkansas Department of Human Services' Division of Children and Family Services immediately take custody. The child is then placed in foster or pre-adoptive home where it will be loved and cared for. The division will terminate parental rights, freeing the baby for adoption.
For more information call 1-888-510-2229 or visit the DHS website at www.arkansassafehaven.org.
