All 50 states have passed laws designed to “protect newborn children from injury and death caused by abandonment” and exempts a relinquishing parent from prosecution, according to certain guidelines. Instead of abandoning an unwanted baby, a parent can hand an uninjured baby to someone who is on duty at an officially designated Safe Haven* location, without fear of prosecution for abandonment.

People are encouraged to call 2-1-1 OR 1-866-320-5764 (United Way Help Line) if they are considering abandoning their child. Help Line staff are prepared to answer their questions.

NOTE: The period of time for relinquishment in the state of Missouri has been increased from 5 to 45 days. Law enforcement facilities were added to the list of Safe Havens in Kansas.

For complete text of the laws in each state, view the Missouri Revised Statutes or the Kansas Statutes. The revised Missouri law went into effect August 28, 2013. The Kansas law was revised in July, 2014.

The North Kansas City Police and Fire Departments support the Safe Haven for Newborns campaign in Missouri and Kansas by providing receiving centers at the police and fire stations.