September 22, 2025 100th Infant Safely Surrendered to a Safe Haven Site

100th Infant Safely Surrendered to a Safe Haven Site As DCF Celebrates 25-Year Anniversary of the Law during Safe Haven Awareness Month TRENTON - A newborn recently brought to a Safe Haven site marks the fourth this calendar year and the 100th baby surrendered under the Safe Haven Infant Protection Act since its inception. This September, the State is celebrating the law's 25th anniversary. The Safe Haven law allows unharmed infants up to 30 days old to be safely and anonymously surrendered to staff at hospitals, police stations, or fire stations and ambulance or rescue squads. Once cleared by a medical professional, surrendered infants are placed into an adoptive home through the Department of Children and Families' (DCF) Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P). "After twenty-five years, New Jersey's Safe Haven program continues to be an effective tool to avoid tragedy," said DCF Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer. "The Safe Haven law creates room for grace and compassion for individuals who make the difficult decision to surrender a child, without shame, blame, or stigma. It prioritizes the child's wellbeing and creates a safety valve for New Jersey residents who are unable-for whatever reason-to care for a baby." Safe Haven laws were passed in states across the nation in response to a number of highly publicized incidents where infants were unsafely abandoned in public places-a phenomenon which rose by 62% in the mid- to late-nineties. Out of the 105 unsafe abandonments that occurred nationwide during that time period, 33 resulted in fatalities. These tragic incidents, including two that occurred in New Jersey, garnered national media attention and prompted State legislators and child and family advocates to find a solution that would help save babies' lives. "In the first year of the law being enacted, DCP&P, formerly referred to as DYFS, received three infants surrendered under the Safe Haven law," said Assistant Commissioner Laura Jamet. "Since then, those numbers have varied, depending on the year. Each surrender represents lives saved and real moments when first responders in New Jersey gave timely and caring support to individuals surrendering a child, no questions asked. On behalf of DCP&P and the Department, I just want to extend our thanks to the medical and safety professionals over the years who have made Safe Haven such a success." "[Safe Haven] is possibly one of the best things that New Jersey or any state has ever put into play," said Leslie, a South Jersey mother who previously adopted one of the 100 babies through Safe Haven. "It is quite frankly the difference between a gruesome story on the eleven o'clock news, because somebody felt they didn't have an option; it is lifesaving." DCF is the State agency statutorily required to promote New Jersey's Safe Haven law through a public information program designed to promote safe placement alternatives for newborn infants, along with details about the confidentiality offered to birth parents and information regarding adoption procedures. As part of its campaign, DCF distributes publications and materials free of charge to stakeholders, agencies, system partners, and the public throughout the year, including on the Department's website. Since the 2020 school year, New Jersey high schools have been teaching students about the Safe Haven law as part of the schools' Core Curriculum Content Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education. In addition, Governor Phil Murphy signed a Joint Resolution designating September of every year as "Safe Haven Awareness Month." For more information about the Safe Haven program, visit https://www.njsafehaven.org or call the Safe Haven Hotline at 1-877-839-2339. Top ^