DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - A baby was surrendered to state custody last month under Iowa safe haven law, state officials said Thursday.
A baby girl born Sept. 27 was the state’s 46th safe haven baby, the Iowa Department of Human Services said in a news release. The department declined to give details on where the baby was surrendered, citing privacy policies.
Iowa lawmakers changed state law following a 2001 case in which a mother killed her home-delivered newborn in eastern Iowa. Under the law, parents can give the state custody of babies who are 30 days or younger without concern of being prosecuted. Parents or an authorized representative can leave infants at a hospital or other health care facility.
Surrendered babies are placed with foster or adoptive families.
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