Safe Haven in Virginia

In Virginia, Safe Haven laws allow a parent to safely surrender their unharmed infant who is 30 days old or younger to a staff member at a designated Safe Haven location (see list below) or a newborn safety device may be utilized if located at and operated by a designated Safe Haven location.

The law provides protection from criminal and civil liability in certain criminal prosecutions and civil proceedings for parents who safely surrender their infants. The law allows a parent to claim an affirmative defense to prosecution if the prosecution is based solely on the parent having left the infant at a designated Safe Haven location within the first 30 days of the infant’s life. For the affirmative defense to apply, the infant must be delivered in a manner reasonably calculated to ensure the infant's safety.

Designated Safe Haven Locations in Virginia

• A hospital that provides 24-hour emergency services
• An attended Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agency that employs emergency medical personnel, such as some fire stations or rescue squads
• A newborn safety device located at and operated by such hospital or emergency medical services agency 

Join us in preventing infant abandonment by spreading awareness of Virginia’s Safe Haven laws and sharing the resources below.