In the wake of discovering a deceased baby abandoned near
Interstate 680 in Milpitas, the Santa Clara County officials would
like to remind the public about the Safely Surrendered Baby
Law.
In the wake of discovering a deceased baby abandoned near Interstate 680 in Milpitas, the Santa Clara County officials would like to remind the public about the Safely Surrendered Baby Law, as well as counseling and health services provided by the county to assist women who might be distressed about being pregnant.
The Safely Surrendered Baby Law allows a parent to give up a newborn to any hospital emergency room or other sites designated by counties within 72 hours of the baby’s birth. Parents can legally and confidentially hand over a baby to a hospital emergency room without fear of arrest or prosecution. The state law, which took effect Jan. 1, 2001, was enacted to prevent the death or injury of abandoned babies.
In Santa Clara County, a parent can surrender a baby at any hospital emergency room or any of the eight Valley Health Centers – neighborhood clinics operated by the county through the Santa Clara Valley Health and Hospital System. It is best, however, that the parent surrender the baby to an emergency room, which is better equipped to deal with any acute medical problems the newborn might have.
Parents who surrender a baby to a hospital emergency room or other designated site and have a change of heart, have 14 days to begin the process of reclaiming the baby. For identification purposes, hospital staff give the baby an identification bracelet that matches one provided to the parent.
Once a baby is in the custody of the hospital’s emergency room staff, it is given a thorough medical examination and, if necessary, hospitalized. If the baby is healthy, it is turned over to the Santa Clara County Social Services Agency for placement in a foster home.
“If a mother is overwhelmed following the birth of a child, she has options,” said Norma Doctor Sparks, Director of the Department of Family and Children’s Services for the County of Santa Clara. “The County offers an array of services including comprehensive OB/GYN services, counseling for pregnant women, foster care, and child welfare programs.”
Pregnant women who might be distressed by their pregnancy can access counseling services through the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center Medical Social Services Department. Santa Clara Valley Medical Center and its clinics also offer confidential perinatal care to teen mothers who may not want their families to know about their pregnancy.
“The Safely Surrendered Baby Law was enacted to prevent the kind of tragedy that we have witnessed in Milpitas,” said Santa Clara County Supervisor Pete McHugh. “It is important for parents, especially those who might be under great emotional stress, to know that there is help available to them.”
South County babies can be taken to the emergency room at Saint Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy or to the Valley Health Center at San Martin, Monterey Road at Highland Avenue during office hours (Monday-Thursday 8 a.m-9 p.m., Fridays 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m.-12:30). 686-2200. Babies are not processed at the clinic but the mother and baby will be transported by taxicab to Valley Medical Center in San Jose.
Safely Surrender Baby Law hotline: 877-272-3327 Santa Clara Valley Medical Center Medical Social Services Department: 408-885-5500
