Pregnant and Scared?
You may be feeling like you’re not ready to be a parent. Maybe you don’t feel safe and are concerned for your baby’s safety. Maybe you have been able to keep your pregnancy a secret. But now what? You have a choice to anonymously give birth and provide your baby with a safe place.
A newborn, or a baby less than 3 days old, can be surrendered at a hospital, fire station or police station. In Michigan, safe surrender delivery, also know as safe haven delivery, is legal and confidential. See below for details.
What is a Safe Place?
If your baby is three days old or less, you have the option to surrender your newborn to an employee of a hospital, fire department, or police station. If you have not yet given birth, you may go to the hospital to deliver your baby safely, and then surrender your baby before leaving the hospital. You are not required to give any information about yourself or your situation. Safe surrender delivery is 100% confidential.
No One Needs to Know ...
You can leave without giving your name or any other information. It would help the baby if you gave some basic health information. However, you do not have to answer any questions. It is YOUR choice. There is nothing you are required to do after you leave.
What Happens to Your Baby?
If your baby needs medical attention, he or she will receive it. The professional staff person who accepts the baby will contact an adoption agency. Adoption Associates is an expert in the field of safe surrender delivery. Social workers will place the baby with a qualified, pre-approved adoptive family. There are so many families who want to adopt, and dream of loving and providing for a child. The plan is to make sure your baby has a good home where he or she can grow up healthy and happy.
It's Your Choice ...
Maybe it isn’t a good time for you to raise a child, but you can make a good choice for you and your baby. You can choose a safe place for your newborn. It’s a decision that will help you and your baby now and in the future. It’s safe, legal, and confidential.
We Are Here to Help
Adoption Associates will immediately go to the hospital to assist their social workers with the safe delivery process. Hospital social workers assist you, and we assist them. This ensures a smooth, confidential, legal process.
Your Rights
By surrendering your newborn, you are releasing your newborn to a child placing agency to be placed for adoption.
You have 28 days after surrendering your newborn to petition the court to regain custody.
After the 28 days end, there will be a hearing to terminate your parental rights. There will be a public notice of this hearing, however, the notice will be anonymous and will not contain your name or any identifying information, even if known. You will not receive personal notice of the hearing.
Any information that you choose to provide to professional staff is strictly confidential.
Text or call us for more information
Information for Service Providers
Adoption Associates is exceptionally experienced with the safe delivery process and will assist you with all aspects of a safe surrender delivery. Please call Jenna Leys at 616-450-8634. She will provide you with everything you need, and she will send one of our experienced workers to your location.
We also provide materials and free trainings to hospital social workers, nurses, administrative staff, fire stations and police stations. All social workers receive 1 free CEU for attending.