For sixth time this year, baby turned over under Iowa’s Safe Haven law

DES MOINES — For the sixth time this year, a baby has been turned over to the state of Iowa under the Safe Haven program.

The Iowa Department of Public Health and Human Services says that the baby girl was born on November 11th and will be placed with a foster family until a permanent placement can be found. This brings the overall total to 72 infants that have been turned over to the state since the law went into effect more than two decades ago. Ten infants were relinquished to HHS custody under the Safe Haven act last year.

It’s an option for parents in crisis who determine they cannot care for an infant up to 90 days old. Designated safe havens are locations like hospitals and police and fire stations.