Every U.S. state has Safe Haven laws, providing parents a safe, legal way to surrender newborns they cannot care for.
In Georgia, parents can surrender infants up to 30 days old at fire stations, police stations, or hospitals without facing prosecution for abandonment or neglect.
They are not required to provide identification but must hand the baby directly to a staff member.
While other states allow Safe Haven Baby Boxes — secure, climate-controlled drop-off points typically located at fire stations — these are not yet permitted in Georgia. These boxes ensure complete anonymity and alert medical personnel to retrieve the baby immediately.
Georgia’s law aims to prevent neglect, abuse, or abandonment by providing parents with a safe alternative. “This law allows for immunity and anonymity,” explained Dr. Lauren Hebert of Memorial Children’s Hospital. Parents can safely surrender their babies without signing documents or revealing their identity.
Since the National Safe Haven Alliance began tracking data in 1999, nearly 5,000 infants have been safely surrendered across the country.
Dr. Hebert emphasized the process for hospital drop-offs: A parent can hand the baby to the front desk staff, who will then alert security, hospital administration, and physicians to ensure the baby’s safety before involving child services.
While Memorial Children’s Hospital hasn’t yet had a Safe Haven surrender, Dr. Hebert reminds parents this option is available: This is a safe place for mothers to bring their children.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes remain another viable alternative in many states. These secure, climate-controlled boxes lock automatically when a baby is placed inside, ensuring immediate care and protection.
Georgia continues to promote its Safe Haven laws to protect infants and provide struggling parents with safe options.