What is a Safe Haven? |
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The Safe Haven Act is a Nevada law that allows parents to leave a baby up to 30 days old at a hospital, an urgent care facility, a public fire-fighting agency or a law enforcement agency without fear of arrest or going to court. This law does not protect a parent from being arrested and criminally prosecuted if the baby is a victim of abuse or neglect.
Remember: You can always place your baby for adoption through private or public agencies. |
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Why is Safe Haven important? |
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If you leave a baby at a Safe Haven:
- You cannot be charged with abandonment of your baby; and
- You do not need to go to court.
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What Happens to My Baby? |
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When a baby is left at a Safe Haven:
- Custody of your baby is given to the local child welfare agency;
- Any information you provide is kept confidential and used to provide medical treatment to your baby and to find an adoptive home; and
- A hearing to terminate the rights of both parents may be held within 60 days.
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What if I change my mind? |
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If you decide you want to regain custody of your baby, contact your local child welfare agency immediately. A social worker will assist you in scheduling a court hearing. At the hearing you must be able to show the court evidence that:
- You are the parent of the baby; and
- Granting custody to you would be in the baby's best interest.
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Do I get notice of court hearings? |
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Yes. However, if the parents' names and addresses are unknown, notice will be published in the local newspaper. |
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What is a Termination of Parental Rights Hearing? |
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It means that the court will declare that you are no longer the legal parent of the baby. You will be unable to make any decision regarding the baby and the baby will be placed for adoption.
The date and time of the court hearing to terminate parental rights will be published in the local newspaper unless you have provided a name and address to the child welfare agency. |
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What if I need help? |
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If you need assistance crisis intervention agencies are available to direct you to your local community resources. Toll free numbers for the state of Nevada include:
- (877) 885-HOPE and (800) 992-5757
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Which agency do I contact? |
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The state of Nevada has three different agencies which provide child welfare services. If you wish to contact your baby's social worker, you must contact the agency directly. If you are unsure of which agency to contact, call any agency listed below and they will assist you.
If you left your child in a Safe Haven, contact:
Washoe County:
Washoe County Department of Social Services
1001 E. 9 th Street
Reno, NV 89520-0027
(775) 328-2300
Clark County:
Clark County Youth and Family Services
701 K.N. Pecos Road
Las Vegas, NV 89101-2408
(702) 455-5444
Any other county:
Division of Child and Family Services
1572 E. College Parkway #161
Carson City, NV 89706
(775) 687-4943 |
