• About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
Sunday, March 26, 2023
The Iowa Torch
  • Home
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion
The Iowa Torch
The Iowa Torch
No Result
View All Result
Home State Government

Newborn Baby Declared Iowa’s 48th Safe Haven Baby

Through Iowa's safe haven law, infants 30 days or younger can be left at a hospital or health care facility without fear of prosecution for abandonment.

Iowa TorchbyIowa Torch
June 12, 2021
in State Government
Reading Time: 2 mins read
Newborn Baby Declared Iowa’s 48th Safe Haven Baby

Photo Credit: Isaac Taylor from Pexels.

DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) officials have used the state’s safe haven procedure for the 48th time since the law went into effect. A baby boy, born April 23, was released to the custody of DHS. Specific details are withheld in order to protect the identity of the parents and the children. Through Iowa’s Safe Haven law, parents, or their authorized representative, can leave infants age 30 days or younger at a hospital or health care facility without fear of prosecution for abandonment.

RELATED POSTS

Reynolds signs two bills addressing transgender children

School restroom bill heads to Reynolds’ desk

Iowa House sends government reorganization bill to Reynolds’ desk

“The purpose of this law is to protect the lives of newborns who are in danger of abandonment,” said Janee Harvey, DHS Division Administrator of Adult, Children and Family Services. “We want to ensure Iowans know that Safe Haven is an available option if they cannot care for their newborn safely. We recognize that these decisions are often made in the midst of crisis and the protocols are built accordingly.” Safe Haven prioritizes the health and physical safety of the infant(s), as well as the anonymity of the parent or authorized individual who relinquishes custody of the child.

The Safe Haven law was approved in the wake of a high-profile case in 2001 involving a teen mother in eastern Iowa who killed her home-delivered newborn. Infants who are safe haven babies are placed with currently-approved foster or adoptive families. All states have Safe Haven laws, although provisions differ.

ADVERTISEMENT

If you are interested in becoming a foster or adoptive parent, please visit
www.iowafosterandadoption.org.

For more information on the Safe Haven procedure: http://dhs.iowa.gov/safe-haven.

Tags: Iowa Department of Human ServicesJanee Harveysafe haven
ShareTweetShare
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Fourteen Apply for Iowa Court of Appeals Vacancy

Next Post

Rogers: Governor Reynolds Puts Students and Parents First

Iowa Torch

Iowa Torch

The Iowa Torch​ is a for-profit, news organization that focuses on political news as it relates to Iowans.

Related Posts

Iowa Dept. of Health & Human Services fill two leadership roles
State Government

Iowa Dept. of Health & Human Services fill two leadership roles

July 19, 2022
Iowa DHS Announces $5 Million Investment in Foster Care Youth & Alumni
State Government

State officials announce that Glenwood Resource Center will close in 2024

April 8, 2022
Iowa Dept. of Public Health Says Schools Should Treat COVID-19 Like Other Childhood Diseases
State Government

Iowa Depts. of Human Services and Public Health takes step closer to merger

March 30, 2022
Iowa Senate panel advances bill expanding maternal support programs
State Government

Iowa Senate panel advances bill expanding maternal support programs

February 17, 2022
State Government

Reynolds Requests ‘Status Quo’ on State Medicaid Funding

January 28, 2022
State Auditor Calls for Targeted Spending for COVID-19 Relief
State Government

State Auditor: Iowa’s Medicaid Privatization Increases Illegal Denials of Care

October 21, 2021
Next Post
Reynolds Signs Charter School Expansion Bill Into Law

Rogers: Governor Reynolds Puts Students and Parents First

Axne Targeted With a $300K Ad Buy

Axne Targeted With a $300K Ad Buy

Sign-Up For Our Daily Updates

Get The Iowa Torch right in your inbox!

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

Recommended Articles

Dicks announces campaign in new Iowa House District 46

Dicks announces campaign in new Iowa House District 46

February 24, 2022
Ernst Amendment Stops Taxpayer Funding for China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology

Ernst Amendment Stops Taxpayer Funding for China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology

June 1, 2021
Polk County Voters to Decide on $65 Million Bond Referendum in November

Polk County Voters to Decide on $65 Million Bond Referendum in November

July 14, 2021

Popular Stories

  • elderly couple walking on a flower field

    Sherman: Iowa can fight back against the Biden Administration’s attack on retirees and families

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • School restroom bill heads to Reynolds’ desk

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Ernst: Biden’s WOTUS whiplash.

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Reynolds signs two bills addressing transgender children

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Horn: It’s time for employers get serious about Iowa’s untapped workforce

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

The Iowa Torch

The Iowa Torch​ is a for-profit, news organization that focuses on political news as it relates to Iowans

Categories

  • Education
  • Federal Government
  • Iowa History
  • Local Government
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • State Government
  • Uncategorized
  • Uncategorized

Newsletter

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

© 2022 The Iowa Torch, a publication of 4:15 Communications, LLC.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion

© 2022 The Iowa Torch, a publication of 4:15 Communications, LLC.