Beginning Thursday, a parent can use the state's safe haven law to relinquish a baby up until they're two months old. Previously, the age limit was set at 30 days.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Beginning Thursday, a parent can use the state's safe haven law to relinquish a baby up until they're two months old. Previously, the age limit was set at 30 days.
Under the law, parents who are unable to care for a newborn can leave the child at any designated facility instead of abandoning the child in an unsafe environment. Louisiana's designated facilities include any licensed hospital, public health unit, emergency medical service provider, medical clinic, fire or police station, pregnancy crisis center or child advocacy center.
A parent wishing to reclaim custody has 30 days after relinquishing the child to contact the state.
Since 2004, 28 infants have been relinquished in Louisiana, including two last month in the New Orleans area.
For more information, call 1-800-CHILDREN (1-800-244-5373) or visit www.LouisianaSafeHaven.com .