What is Safe Place for Newborns?

Section 210.950 RSMo, Missouri's Safe Place for Newborns Act, allows a parent to voluntarily give up their newborn up to 90 days old without prosecution, as long as it is done safely and according to law.

Parents who choose to voluntarily give up their child, who is between 90 days and one year old, can use this law as an affirmative defense to prosecution related to child abandonment or child endangerment if the child was given up safely and according to law.

Information for Parents

Before making this decision, you should know:

  • This is permanent
  • The newborn must not have been abused or neglected by the parent prior to the voluntary surrender
  • The newborn must be surrendered to a newborn safety incubator (i.e. a Safe Haven Baby Box) or left with an appropriate professional (listed below) and
  • The other parent has rights
    • If you are not the parent who surrendered your newborn and you would like custody of the child, immediately contact your local juvenile office, Children’s Division office, or an attorney to determine next steps.

Who can I leave my newborn with?

According to the Missouri's Safe Place for Newborns Act, you may leave your newborn in a newborn safety incubator or with any of the following professionals:

  • Law enforcement officer (whether on duty or off duty)
  • On duty firefighter
  • On duty Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
  • An employee, agent, or member of the staff in a health care provider position or on duty in a nonmedical paid or volunteer position of any
    • Hospital
    • Maternity home
    • Pregnancy resource center

Information for Professionals

If you have a child brought to you and you are an approved professional, there are certain steps you must take.

Safe Haven Baby Boxes

The Safe Haven Baby Box – a newborn safety incubator - takes the face-to-face interaction out of the surrender and protects the parent from being seen.

If you are considering voluntarily surrendering your newborn, but would like to do so anonymously, you can use a Safe Haven Baby Box. Find a box near you.

If your community wants to create a safe place for parents to anonymously surrender their newborns, a Safe Haven Baby Box is a great option. Learn more about baby boxes and how your community could get one at shbb.org/get-a-box.

If you’d like to learn more from the founder and current CEO Monica Kelsey, she was a featured guest on the Department of Social Services Podcast, the Call to Foster.

Questions?

If you have questions or would like more information about Missouri's Safe Place for Newborns Law, contact the Children's Division toll free at 1-800-392-3738.