SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — Since 2003, 49 parents have surrendered their newborns at designated safe drop-off locations throughout San Diego County.
This initiative aims to address infant abandonment and prevent the deaths of unwanted infants by providing safe surrender sites for parents or guardians.
Several states, including Indiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Missouri, have enacted laws permitting the installation of small incubators at fire stations and other authorized locations to facilitate safe surrender.
According to records obtained by CBS 8, nearly 50 infants have been surrendered through San Diego County’s program since the “Safe Arms for Newborns” law was enacted in 2001.
California’s law allows parents to legally and safely surrender their newborns at any hospital or fire station within 72 hours of birth, with no questions asked.
The legislation was introduced to combat the increasing number of unwanted babies being found abandoned outdoors, often severely injured or deceased.
To prevent such tragedies, parents or legal guardians can surrender their babies at designated hospitals or fire stations across the county. Upon surrendering the baby, the parent or guardian receives a bracelet, allowing them to reclaim the baby within 14 days if they choose. They are not required to provide their identity or explain their reasons for surrendering the infant.
