Baby Safe Haven FAQ's

• Newborn infant: a baby 7 days old or younger.

• Voluntary placed, voluntary placement or voluntary abandonment: voluntarily leaving the newborn infant with an appropriate person at a designated facility.

• Designated Facility: hospital (it is preferred that the newborns specifically be taken to an acute care hospital emergency department), police department or manned fire station; the locations stipulated by the Safe Haven Law.

• Appropriate person: someone at a designated facility who is able to ensure that the newborn infant is safe; for example, the triage person in a hospital emergency department or duty officer in a police station.

• Notification: An immediate notice to be filed with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) on the voluntary surrender of the newborn infant.

When a parent voluntarily surrenders a newborn infant 7 days of age or younger with an appropriate person at a hospital, police department or manned fire station and there are no signs of abuse or neglect of the infant.

1. If the Safe Haven site is not an Acute Care Hospital with an Emergency Department, it is recommended that you immediately contact your local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) provider to respond and assess the child's condition on site and then transport the infant to the closest acute care hospital emergency department.

2. Notify DCF. Notification is accomplished by following the standard 51A process and filing a Mandated Reporter form. DCF will work with you and any involved medical professionals to ensure that the child's needs are met and any subsequent transitions of care are coordinated.

3. If one or more of the parents is available:

   • Thank them for bringing the infant to a safe place.

   • Ask if they would be willing to provide any information that would assist in planning for the future care of the child. Inform them that situations often arise, or children have questions as they grow older, that only they as parents can address. You are required to encourage the parent to provide the information but the parent shall not be required to provide such information. The person accepting a newborn infant at a designated facility shall make every effort to solicit the following information from the parent placing the newborn infant:

     1. the name of the newborn infant
     2. the name and address of the parent placing the newborn infant
     3. the location of the newborn infant's birthplace
     4. information relative to the newborn infant's medical history
     5. his or her biological family's medical history
     6. any other information that might reasonably assist the department in determining the best interest of the child, including whether the parent plans on returning to seek future custody of the child.

• The designated facility receiving a newborn infant shall immediately notify DCF, by telephone. The phone number for your local DCF office  can found here. To simplify the written reporting process, designated facilities are requested to use the current 51A Mandated Reporter Form. The 51A reporting process and associated form should be used regardless of whether the designated facility suspects child abuse and neglect. All information relevant to the circumstances of the abandonment and condition of the infant should be included in the report.

• If child abuse or neglect that is not based solely on the newborn infant having been left at the facility is suspected, then the report will be screened in by DCF. DCF will then conduct an investigation in accordance with the Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 119, section 51B and DCF Regulations 110CMR 4.00 et. seq.

• If child abuse is not suspected, the report will be screened out and the case will continue as a Safe Haven Voluntary Application for Services.

• The Area Office that covers the location in which the child is found. If information exists about the parent(s) location, then it will be the Area Office that covers the parent's location. A listing of DCF Area Offices by town can be found here. 

• After 5:00 p.m., on weekends, and holidays, notify DCF via the Child at Risk Hotline at (800) 792 -5200.

• DCF will take immediate custody of the baby once they are notified by phone.

• The DCF screener will obtain as much information as possible about the parents, the medical condition of the infant, the name and location of the Safe Haven, and person who received the infant.

• DCF will send a social worker to the location of the newborn or the location where the newborn was transported.

• Upon notification, DCF will coordinate health care coverage for the newborn through MassHealth or other public assistance programs.

After the newborn is medically screened, the DCF will place the newborn in a DCF approved fosteror pre-adoptive home.