GILROY
– In reaction to a recent string of discarded babies in north
Santa Clara County, county supervisors Tuesday added 17 fire
stations to the list of places where a newborn may be safely left
within 72 hours of its birth, no questions asked.
GILROY – In reaction to a recent string of discarded babies in north Santa Clara County, county supervisors Tuesday added 17 fire stations to the list of places where a newborn may be safely left within 72 hours of its birth, no questions asked.
All three Gilroy fire stations will now be “Safe Haven” sites, according to fire Division Chief Phil King.
Currently, only hospitals are Safe Havens. Saint Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy is one, as are 12 others.
Last Thursday, county supervisors announced the formation of a new Safe Haven Task Force to educate the public about the Safely Surrendered Baby Law. Supervisor James Beall spearheaded the effort.
“Our goal is the complete elimination of babies being abandoned in Santa Clara County,” Beall said.
Information may be sorely needed for South County public safety officials as well as for the public. At the Gilroy and Morgan Hill police departments, officials who address the public over the phone and face-to-face didn’t immediately know whether their stations were an official Safe Haven or not, but said they would never turn away anyone wishing to leave a baby.
At the Gilroy Fire Department headquarters at noon Wednesday, King said the addition of fire stations to the Safe Haven list was sudden, and he didn’t yet know the details.
“We’re kind of scrambling to catch up and get all the info,” he said.
The state law allows a 14-day cooling-off period during which a parent can reclaim a baby while maintaining confidentiality.
