Nevada Safe Haven Law

Air Date: 8/4/2003

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What is the Nevada “Safe Haven” law?

Nevada law states (NRS 432B.630) that a birth parent (mother or father) may leave their newborn, 30 days old or younger and who does not appear to be abused or neglected, at a designated Safe Haven location.

The parent may do this anonymously without fear of being arrested or charged with abandonment as long as the infant has not been abused or neglected. The infant will get medical care and be put up for adoption.

For more information, 24 hours a day contact 1-877-885-HOPE.

Where can I find a Safe Haven Location?

Safe Haven locations include local hospitals, urgent care facilities, any manned Fire or Police Station. You can also call 9-1-1 to have REMSA dispatched to your location without lights or sirens to quietly take the child as long as no medical emergencies exist.

Please remember that it is VERY important to give your baby to a person working at one of these facilities. People working at these facilities usually have some form of visible identification. Tell the person that you want to leave your baby with Safe Haven. That is the best way to care for your baby.

If I call 9-1-1 and leave my baby with REMSA, what will happen to my baby?

If you call 9-1-1 and leave your baby in the care of REMSA, our Paramedics will provide some initial medical care to the baby and then transport the baby to the nearest hospital. Once at the hospital, your baby will be further evaluated and any medical needs will be taken care of by the hospital staff. The hospital staff will then contact a local licensed child-placing agency.

What questions will they ask me?

You may be asked a few medical history questions to include in your baby’s record to help answer health questions in the future. This is NOT to try to find you later but to better assist in the care of your baby.

Consider Adoption

Every child deserves a safe, loving, permanent home. The biological parent can have their baby adopted, even before giving birth. Adoptive parents are carefully selected and must be interviewed and pass intense background checks before they can become parents.

For more information on adoption call (775) 688-1600.

Additional Resources

Hope for Babies

Safe Place for Newborns

Garden of Angels

A Safe Haven for Newborns

450 Edison Way Reno, Nevada 89502 (775)858-5700 Fax (775)858-5720