Safe Haven Law & Shaken Baby Syndrome. Law that allows a parent to legally and safely relinquish their unharmed newborn anonymously without fear of.

Safe Haven Law &

Shaken Baby Syndrome

Law that allows a parent to legally and safely relinquish their unharmed newborn anonymously without fear of arrest or prosecution for abandonment, with no questions asked

In 2006, Illinois School Code amended to require the Safe Haven Act be included in all school comprehensive health education classes.

Safe

Haven Law

Safe Haven

Parents who are unable or unwilling to care for an infant can legally, anonymously, and safely relinquish their unharmed newborn up to 30 days old.

The only requirement is that the unharmed newborn be brought to: A hospital, a fire station, police station, sheriff

office, or an emergency care facility in Illinois, and handed to any staff member.

How Does it Work?

In most cases, a parent will bring in the infant. The law allows another person to safely relinquish the unharmed newborn if the person has lawful custody, or is acting on behalf of the parent.

Can only a parent bring in a newborn?

No A parent can safely relinquish an unharmed

newborn anytime, 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week.

The Safe Haven law is good 24-7.

Does the parent have to call before bringing in the newborn?

Signs that you will see

Nothing is required to be said. The parent can walk with no questions asked. A packet of information is available to the

parent but the parent is not required to accept it.

This packet contains information about: Adoption Medical/family history form Written notice of the process to terminate

parental rights

What does the parent have to say?

The newborn will be examined and given medical treatment if needed. If the examining doctor determines the newborn has

been harmed, the parent could be prosecuted (social services department searches for you, if that’s the case) The newborn will be placed in a pre-adoptive home.

What happens to the newborn?

Once the infant has been safely relinquished, the parent is free to go.

Nothing happens to the parent.

What happens to the parent of the newborn?

Under the Safe Haven law, a parent who has safely relinquished an unharmed newborn has 60 days to petition the court to prevent the termination of parental rights and regain custody.

What if the Parent Wants the Newborn Back?

How long do other states give you?

The intent of the law is to assure the safety of unwanted newborns that might otherwise be unsafely abandoned. Although, it's hard for a law to change the way a very frightened person may act. Between August 2001 and August 15th, 2012

66 babies have been unsafely abandoned (Parking lot, Fire station, Church, Trash can, etc..)In (33 did not survive)

During this same time frame 75 newborns were safely relinquished in Illinois under the

Safe Haven law

Is the Safe Haven Law Effective?

Babies have been abandoned for many reasons: Mother denies pregnancy, keeps it a secret,

gives birth in private and abandons or kills the newborn

Mother's husband is not the father Mother fears she doesn't have enough money

to care for the infant Mother has other children, can't afford to take

care of another Mother is afraid or ashamed to tell her parents

or others Mother is afraid of being abused if the

pregnancy/newborn is discovered

Why do parents abandon their newborns?

Mother is afraid of the humiliation of having a baby out of wedlock

Pregnancy discovered too late Infant is the result of rape or incest Mother fears social services will take away her

other children Mother fears an ex-spouse will take her other

children

More Reasons Cont…

AdoptionEvery child deserves a safe, loving, permanent home. You can

make plans to have your baby adopted even before giving birth.

For more information on adoption:

Call the Illinois Adoption Registry 1-877-323-5299 (a free call in Illinois)

Child Help USA (Abuse Hotline) 1-800-422-4453

Safe Haven Crisis Line 1-888-510-BABY (1-888-510-2229)

Save Abandoned Babies Foundation 312-440-0229

www.SaveAbandonedBabies.org

Safe Haven PSA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY1YH1lqsN0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NRNQmtUAUg

Contact Resources

SBS/AHT (shaken baby syndrome/abusive head trauma)

is a term used to describe the signs and symptoms resulting from violent shaking to the head of an infant or small child

SBS is the leading cause of child abuse deaths in the United States - CDC

Shaken Baby Syndrome

The brain rotates within the skull cavity, injuring or destroying brain tissue.

When shaking occurs, blood vessels feeding the brain can be torn, leading to bleeding around the brain.

Blood pools within the skull, sometimes creating more pressure within the skull and possibly causing additional brain damage.

Retinal (back of the eye) bleeding is very common

What happens?

Why: Often, perpetrators shake an infant or child out of

frustration or anger. Inconsolable crying is a primary trigger for shaking a baby.

Other triggering events include toilet training difficulties and feeding problems.

Why does it happen?

There are various signs and symptoms of shaken baby syndrome. The consequences of less severe cases may not be brought

to the attention of medical professionals and may never be diagnosed.

In most severe cases, the child usually becomes immediately unconscious and suffers rapidly escalating, life-threatening central nervous system dysfunction. Any of these injuries can lead to severe disability or death.

If you suspect a child has been shaken, seek medical attention This could be the difference between life and death.

Signs & Symptoms of Shaken Baby Syndrome

Common Physical Signs/Symptoms Lethargy / decreased muscle

tone Extreme irritability Decreased appetite, poor

feeding or vomiting for no apparent reason

Grab-type bruises on arms or chest are rare

No smiling or vocalization

Signs & Symptoms Cont…

Poor sucking or swallowing Rigidity or posturing Difficulty breathing Seizures Inability to lift head Inability of eyes to focus or track

movement or unequal size of pupils

Immediate Consequences: Breathing may stop or be compromised Extreme irritability Limp arms and legs or rigidity/posturing Decreased level of consciousness Vomiting; poor feeding Inability to suck or swallow Heart may stop Death

Consequences of SBS

Long-Term Consequences: Learning disabilities Physical disabilities Visual disabilities or blindness Hearing impairment Speech disabilities Cerebral Palsy Seizures Behavior disorders Cognitive impairment Death

Consequences of SBS