Save Abandoned Babies
ILLINOIS SAFE HAVEN LAW
Illinois' Safe Haven law was written to provide a safe alternative to abandonment for Illinois parents who feel they cannot cope with a newborn baby. It offers safe havens for newborns.
To review our summary of the Safe Haven Law available in both English and Spanish, please click here.
Illinois Safe Haven is:
Private | Legal | Safe | Supportive
PRIVATE
Can I really keep my baby a secret?
Yes, you can keep your secret and keep your baby safe. The Illinois law says that as long as you don't harm your baby, you can hand your newborn (30 days old or younger) to personnel at any hospital, police station or staffed fire station in Illinois for adoption with no questions asked.
No one will ask your name. Your baby will get medical care and be adopted into a loving family. You can even provide anonymous medical information, so your baby will grow up with a medical history.
All calls to the Save Abandoned Babies Foundation are completely confidential. We are a group of volunteers who want to help desperate parents save their babies. We understand the need to protect your identity, and your privacy is completely protected on this web site, too.
LEGAL
What does the law say?
The Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act says that parents who do not harm their babies cannot be prosecuted for abandonment if they bring their newborn (30 days old or younger) to a safe place and hand the baby to a staff member. Under the law, these safe places are any hospital, emergency care facility, police station or staffed fire station in Illinois. The entire process is legal and completely private.
What are my rights as a parent?
If you bring your baby to a safe place and do not return within 60 days, you voluntarily give up your parental rights so your baby can be adopted.
What if I don't live in Illinois?
Click here for information about safe haven laws in other states.
SAFE
What happens at a safe place?
Hospitals, emergency care facilities, police stations and staffed fire stations are safe places in Illinois. If you hand your baby to personnel at a police or fire station, your newborn will be taken to the nearest hospital. Your baby will receive a health exam, any needed medical care, and be adopted by a loving family.
Once you have given your unharmed baby to a hospital worker, police officer or firefighter, you are free to leave. You do not have to give your name or answer any questions. No one will try to stop you or follow you.
How can I provide medical information for my baby?
Medical records are important as your baby grows up. If you wish, you can fill out forms to provide healthcare workers with medical information. When you bring your newborn baby to a safe haven, these forms will be offered to you. You may fill them out at the safe haven. You may also take them with you and return them by mail, or obtain the forms later and still mail them back. These medical forms are available for download from the Illinois adoption web site, the State Central Registry. All information will be kept confidential. You do not have to give your name, and you can still make sure your baby grows up with a medical history.
What happens to my baby after I leave?
After you leave, the hospital will call the Department of Children and Family Services. They will contact an adoption agency to start the adoption process.
SUPPORTIVE
Who will help me?
When you take your baby to an Illinois hospital, you may be offered medical care and counseling services. Hospitals may have staff members trained to help you cope and make sure you understand your rights and your options. If you do not want these services, you may simply walk away.
If you want to talk to someone now, you can call the Save Abandoned Babies Foundation (1-312-440-0229) from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We are here to help and support you, not to judge you.
OTHER STATES' SAFE HAVEN LAWS
Click here for information about safe haven laws in other states.
