Delaware Adoption Laws, Page 7

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Infant Safe Haven Laws

Infant’s Age

Statute: Title 16, § 902

• 14 days or younger

Who May Relinquish the Infant

Statute: Title 16, § 907A

• Any person who voluntarily delivers the infant unharmed

Statute: Title 16, § 907A

• Emergency department of a hospital

Responsibilities of the Safe Haven Provider

• Take emergency protective custody
  
• Make reasonable efforts to obtain medical history
  
• Notify the State police and the division
  
• Attempt to give the child's ID number to the person leaving the infant
  
• Attempt to provide to the person information about the Safe Arms program, adoption, and counseling services

Immunity for the Provider

Statute: Title 16, § 908

Protection for Relinquishing Parent

• The parent may remain anonymous.
  
• If the parent chooses to remain anonymous, no investigation shall be initiated unless there is evidence of abuse or neglect of the child.
  
• Any information gathered is kept confidential.
  
• Relinquishment to a designated provider is a defense from prosecution for abandoning or endangering the welfare of the child.

Effect on Parental Rights

Statute: Title 16, § 907A

• The division will publish a public notice that a child has been abandoned. Such notice shall contain the statement that the abandonment shall be:
  
  
  • The surrendering person’s irrevocable consent to termination of parental rights
    
  • The surrendering person’s irrevocable waiver of any right of notice unless the person manifests an intent to exercise parental rights within 30 days
    

Credits: Child Welfare Information Gateway (http://www.childwelfare.gov)

Caring for Kids Adoptions

Serving birth parents & families in Ohio. Free services to birth parents.

http://www.cfkadopt.org

Adoption Connection

Making Sure Babies are Happy. Find a loving family for your baby.

www.AdoptionConnection.org

Adoption Crisis Support

Turning Corners Counseling Helping your child and family now

www.turningcornerscounseling.com