The Safe Surrender program is continuing to be effective across the State of California and the Santa Clarita Valley. A newborn child was surrendered at Henry Mayo Hospital in the Santa Clarita Valley this past Spring. It was the eighth Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2007 and the 56th since the program was initiated six years ago.
The newborn of unknown ethnicity was transferred to Valley Presbyterian Hospital because she was in need of a higher level of care and later placed with a family approved for adoption by the Department of Children and Family Services.
“This is another example of a young life saved and given a second chance because someone chose to surrender rather than abandon her,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich.
To reduce the incidence of abandoned babies in Los Angeles County, the Safe Surrender Program encourages the surrender of newborn babies to designated sites throughout the County. The program was initiated by Supervisor Knabe and approved unanimously by the Board of Supervisors in 2001.
To search for the designated Los Angeles County Safe Surrender sites, call 877-BABY SAFE (877-222-9723) or visit babysafela.org .