Safe Haven (legal context)

A Safe Haven in a legal context refers to a designated location—such as a hospital, fire station, or police station—where parents can legally relinquish an unwanted or unplanned newborn without facing prosecution for abandonment or neglect. These laws are designed to protect infants from harm by providing a secure and anonymous way for parents to surrender their babies shortly after birth. Typically, the baby is then cared for or adopted by social services, ensuring their safety and well-being while offering parents a legal, stigma-free option to avoid potential legal consequences.