The Raise Foundation distributes safe surrender public awareness material year-round and features the information prominently during “Keep Kids Safe, Healthy and Happy" presentations.
Please contact info@theraisefoundation.org to request “Keep Kids Safe, Healthy and Happy” presentations.
The Safely Surrendered Baby Law responds to the increasing number of newborn infant deaths due to abandonment in unsafe locations. First created in January 2001, the Safely Surrendered Baby Law was signed permanently into state law in January 2006. The law's intent is to save lives of newborn infants at risk of abandonment by encouraging parents or persons with lawful custody to safely surrender the infant within 72 hours of birth, with no questions asked.
From January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2021, 1247 newborns have been safely surrendered in California, and 79 newborns were surrendered during the 2021 calendar year. This is compared with 192 infants abandoned since 2001, four of which occurred in the 2021 calendar year. Available data indicates a generally decreasing trend of abandonments since enactment of the SSB Law, from 25 cases in 2002 to five or less cases per year since 2010, representing a decrease of at least 80%.
Safe surrender sites are hospitals or other locations, typically fire stations, approved by the board of supervisors or fire agency in each county. Look for the logo.
To find the nearest safe surrender site, call 1-877-BABYSAF (1-877-222-9723) or click here to perform a zip code search.
Office of Child Abuse Prevention
Orange County Fire Authority
