ZPD Reminds Community Of Safe Haven Law

There is a law on the books that protects parents of newborn children if they decide they do not want to keep the child.

It is called the “Ohio Safe Haven Law.’ This allows the parent of the child to leave their baby, no more than 30 days old, with fire, police or medical professionals. Zanesville Police Captain Tony Coury explained how the law is designed to work.

“We basically are not permitted to ask them their name. If they want to give that to us we can get that. The rule is also that we can ask them for some voluntary medical questions. There is a questionnaire, provided by the jobs and family services that we can go through with them or ask them to voluntarily fill out.”

Once the baby is in the care of the fire, police or medical staff, Children’s Services is contacted and take over the custody of the child. Captain Coury says this is something that people need to be aware of for important reasons.

“There is this law in place so that we can protect the child and that’s what its all about. Protecting the new child. The brand new newborn and giving them a chance.”

Coury does not feel that this law is something that people are aware of. If you want to read more about the law, you can find it within the Ohio Revised Code when you complete an internet search of “Ohio Safe Haven Law”.