{"id":351589,"date":"2016-04-04T11:02:26","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:02:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/family\/adoption\/safe-haven-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-07-22T10:19:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T15:19:00","slug":"safe-haven-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/adoption\/safe-haven-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Surrendering Your Baby: Safe Haven Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Surrendering Your Baby: Safe Haven Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Lark Lewis, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Rhonda Earhart, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Safe haven laws ensure birth mothers have a safe and hazard-free location to leave their child. Under these laws, birth mothers can leave their child in designated places like hospitals or churches without any criminal charges. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

States have enacted\u00a0safe haven laws\u00a0to help stop mothers from leaving their abandoned babies in unsafe locations. These laws allow mothers to leave their unwanted babies in designated places such as hospitals or churches without fearing criminal charges.<\/p>\n

Safe haven laws, also known as “Baby Moses laws<\/a>,” serve a dual purpose:<\/p>\n