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Safe Place for Newborns in Minnesota

On April 18, 2000, Minnesota passed a "Safeplace for Newborns" law providing an alternative for mothers who have hidden their pregnancy and are at risk of harming their newborn child. The law allows for a newborn to be dropped off anonymously and for the mother to not face child abandonment charges under the following conditions:

The newborn baby is left with a hospital employee at any hospital in Minnesota,
The newborn is no more than 72 hours old, and
The baby is unharmed.

Either the mother or someone acting with permission of the mother may drop off the baby. If these conditions are met, no questions will be asked.

This program is in place as a last alternative for mothers who are at highest risk of harming, or even murdering, their newborn child. It gives babies a chance to live, mothers a chance to fix their lives, and adoptive families a chance to grow. With millions of Americans wanting to adopt, every child conceived is a baby who is wanted and loved by someone.

Since 2000, at least 15 children have been relinquished under the program. However, there still have been cases of infanticide of newborns throughout the state. Education is desperately needed to ensure that all mothers at risk of harming their newborn babies are aware of this program and to encourage them to give life to their baby.

How you can help

Please consider the action items below. Help us get this message out and put an end to newborn abandonment and infanticide!

Encourage your local junior high and high schools to help get the message out:
- Arrange for a speaker to discuss this issue in health classes (you could speak or contact MCCL to arrange for a speaker).
- Distribute fliers that explain this program to students.
- Place posters in hallways or bathrooms.
- Provide brochures, posters and information to school counselors
Hang posters around town in locations most likely to be seen by high-risk populations.
Sponsor a billboard that promotes Safe Place for Newborns in your area.
Provide a monetary donation to help cover the cost of getting information on Safe Place out.