The Long Beach Fire Department has issued a press release reminding the public of the 2001 California “Safely Surrendered Baby Law,” which allows parents to safely surrender unwanted newborns without fear of prosecution, as long as the babies are healthy. The purpose of the law is to protect babies from being hurt or killed because they were abandoned.
Newborns who are 72 hours old or younger can be surrendered to any hospital emergency room in Long Beach and throughout Los Angeles County, any Long Beach fire station, any Los Angeles County fire stations, and other fire stations that participate in the program.
Since the program began, 90 babies have been safely surrendered in Los Angeles County, including eight in Long Beach.
At the time of surrender, a bracelet is placed on the baby with a matching bracelet provided to the parent (or lawful guardian), which can be used within 14 days to reclaim the baby. All identifying information that pertains to parents is confidential.
For more information, including the location of the nearest Safe Surrender site, visit babysafela.org or call the multilingual Safe Surrender hotline at 877-BABY-SAFE (877-222-9723), 24 hours a day
