If you have a newborn that you're unable to care for, you can bring your baby to a designated safe place with no questions asked. The safe haven laws—also known as Baby Moses laws—give parents who are unable to care for their child a safe and legal choice to leave their infant with an employee at a designated safe place—a hospital, fire station, free-standing emergency center, or emergency medical services (EMS) station. When left at such a designated safe place, your baby will receive medical care and be placed with an emergency provider.
In Louisiana, the Safe Haven Law provides a safe and legal alternative for parents who are unable to care for their newborns. Under this law, a parent may surrender their baby, who is up to 60 days old, to an employee at a designated safe haven location without facing criminal prosecution for abandonment or neglect. The designated safe havens include hospitals, fire stations, police stations, emergency medical services (EMS) stations, pregnancy crisis centers, child advocacy centers, or any licensed public or private adoption agency. The parent is not required to provide any identifying information, although they will be offered an information packet including a medical history form that is voluntary to complete. Once the infant is surrendered, they will receive medical care if needed and the Department of Children and Family Services will be notified to arrange for placement with a caregiver.