After a 14-year-old Livingston Parish girl is charged with killing her newborn baby, Louisiana Right to Life is reminding everyone of the state’s Safe Haven Law. Policy Director Erica Inzina says the purpose is to protect the life of the newborn baby.
“A mother or parent can surrender their infant child from birth, to up to 60 days old, at any designated surrender location with no questions asked,” Inzina said.
A mother can drop the baby off at any hospital, a staffed fire station or a staffed law enforcement station. In addition, Inzina says in South Louisiana, there are two Safe Haven drop-off boxes.
“The baby is placed in a climate-controlled center box, usually at either a hospital or a 24-hour fire station. And then immediately the first responders are notified, the baby is retrieved, and the mother at that point has walked away,” Inzina explained.
Inzina says in light of what happened in Denham Springs this week, there needs to be more outreach to let people know that the Safe Haven Law exists in Louisiana.
“It seems very clear that we need to make sure, that everybody knows, that the Safe Heaven’s surrender is a legal option and a safe option,” Inzina said.
