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St. Luke's Hospital Accepts Safe Haven Baby

By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Jul 15, 2008 at 11:22 AM CDT

Story Updated: Jul 15, 2008 at 1:02 PM CDT

CEDAR RAPIDS - KCRG-TV9 has learned that a baby boy is in state custody under Iowa's Safe Haven Law. Someone left the child with St. Luke’s Emergency Room staff Tuesday morning. The hospital says, the baby boy appeared just hours old with his umbilical cord still attached. He was dropped off in a basket at a reception desk.

"There was a note and it said safe haven baby. That's all it said," said Dr. Larry Helvey, St. Luke's ER doctor.

"She did the right thing. She should know in her own heart this baby is going to be safe," said Dr. Larry Helvey, St. Luke's ER doctor.

And that's the premise of this law, to keep babies safe and to give mothers a choice.

The Safe Haven Act is a law that allows parents to leave an infant up to 14 days old at a hospital or health care facility without fear of prosecution for abandonment.

The hospital doesn't know where he was born. At this time the baby is in the custody of the Iowa Department of Human Services, and they are focused on getting him a new family.

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