A baby who was left at a Carver County hospital in 2007 was adopted under the “Safe Place for Newborns” law, according to a June 24 press release from Carver County Attorney Jim Keeler.

“This is a perfect example of why this law is so important. This baby was left with a Carver County hospital employee, evaluated, found to be healthy and upon release, immediately placed in a pre-adoptive home. The adoptive parents had taken all necessary steps to make this possible. Today the baby was formally adopted. This is good news all around,” Keeler stated, in the press release.

Under Minnesota Statute Section 609.3785, referred to as the “Safe Place for Newborns” law, a mother, or someone with the mother’s approval, may drop off an unharmed newborn baby at any Minnesota hospital within 72 hours of birth with no questions asked.

The statute provides an alternative for mothers who cannot care for their child, and is an effort to avoid the stories of infants dying after being left in bathrooms or dumpsters, the release stated.

Generally, under this law, when a baby is left at a Minnesota hospital, there are no questions asked, and the mother or someone with the mother’s approval may leave the baby with hospital personnel without fear of prosecution.

A county may immediately commence a termination of parental rights action and put into place all other safeguards to protect the baby. This process includes a search of a fathers’ adoption registry, appointment of a guardian ad litem, a search of relevant databases maintained by law enforcement and contact with law enforcement agencies in the area, the release stated.

The baby is simultaneously placed with a licensed foster parent or pre-adoptive home. If this placement is with an approved pre-adoptive home, the family may initiate adoption proceedings.

Mothers who have questions or need help can contact the Safe Place for Newborns organization at (877) 440.2229 or www.safeplacefornewborns.com for more information.