In the event a person surrenders custody of an infant (less than 30 days old) to an employee of the medical center, or a student performing clinical duties, it is our policy to accept that infant into the hospital’s custody until custody can be transferred to law enforcement or the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
Legislative Bill 157 states that no person shall be prosecuted for any crime based solely upon the act of leaving an infant in the custody of an employee on duty at the hospital. Bryan has received consent from the state for medical screening, evaluation, and treatment as needed until such time the infant is released to a state agency. Medical center employees and students (while performing clinical duties) are immune from criminal liability and civil liability for accepting an infant. Signs will be posted at emergency and main entrances indicating we are a safe haven for abandoned infants.
Steps to take:
Contact Care Management or Administrative Management upon learning that a person intends to leave his or her child at the medical center. Contact Security if concerns about infant/family/staff safety. Care Management or Administrative Manager will take infant to the Emergency Department for evaluation and treatment if employee receiving the infant has not already done so.
If person bringing infant will not wait for other staff to arrive:
- Ask the person to accompany you and the infant to the emergency department.
- Ask person bringing the infant if they need or the infant needs medical care.
- Inform the person bringing the infant that they are not required to answer any questions; however, the following information is requested:
- Name of infant
- Names of biological parents & address
- Information about the child’s medical history or significant family history
- Is the child an American Indian? What tribe?
- Date of the child’s birth and location
Please refer to the Safe Haven for Infants procedure (DAD.GR189) for all of the details. If you have additional questions, please call Care Management or Risk Management.