Children's named A "Baby Safe Haven" Site

Children's teamed with Baby Moses Dallas to continue "making life better for children"  

Children's Medical Center was designated a "Baby Safe Haven" Site according to the Texas "Baby Moses" or "Safe Haven" Law.  Baby Moses Dallas presented Children's with yellow "Safe Baby Site" signs indicating that Children's is a safe place to leave an infant.

"We are very excited to be named a ‘Baby Safe Haven.'  This is just one more opportunity for Children's to carry out our mission of making life better for children," said Ben Retta, senior director of support services at Children's.

Texas Representative Geanie Morrison of Victoria wrote the "Baby Moses" or "Safe Haven" law was passed in 1999.  Texas was the first state to activate the law and other states followed soon after.  The law provides a responsible alternative to mothers who might otherwise abandon, neglect or harm a newborn child.  It states that a parent may leave an unharmed infant, up to 60 days old, at any hospital or fire station with "no questions asked."  The law, however, does not provide funding to promote awareness of the law, and, as a result, volunteer groups were needed to promote the law.

Children's has a mission of "making life better for children."  By becoming a "Baby Safe Haven," parents know that their child will be in good hands.  Children's employees have been trained to receive a child left at a "Safe Haven" site.  Caretakers know the more information a parent can share about their medical history and the medical history of their child, the more beneficial it will be for the child.

Baby Moses Dallas has presented 224 yellow Safe Baby Site signs to eligible Dallas County fire departments, many of the county's hospitals and, by request, to locations in neighboring counties.  Alan Elliott, Baby Moses Dallas Executive Director, states:  "The participation of Children's Medical Center is vital to the success of the Texas Safe Haven/Baby Moses Law. A parent who realizes that she/he cannot take care of a newborn or be responsible for placing it for adoption needs to know that Children's is a Safe Baby Site and will follow the steps the state has outlined under the Baby Moses Law to provide that baby with a loving home."

Tags: Children's Medical Center, Baby Safe Haven, Baby Moses Dallas, newborn, infant