Chicago

Illinois Celebrates ‘Safe Haven Law' to Raise Awareness

An Illinois law that has allowed parents to leave newborns at hospitals and police and fire stations—no questions asked—for nearly 17 years, was celebrated to raise awareness Monday.

It’s known as the ‘Safe Haven Law.’

“We got a phone call at 7:30 on a Thursday night that there was a baby relinquished at a fire department and we picked her up on Saturday at 1 o’clock,” said Christie, an adoptive mother of a 3-year-old.

The law that was first passed in 2001, allowed parents to leave an unharmed baby at a hospital or fire station without a need for an explanation.

A 14-year-old girl, Anjel, was only a few hours old when she was left at a Chicago Police Station in 2003.

“Safe haven saved me,” she said.

Anjel was able to meet now retired detective Keith Carter for the first time.

Carter was the one who took her in, even though police stations weren’t covered by the Safe Haven Law at the time.

Anjel is the reason the law changed in 2004, this time allowing police stations to also take babies in.

“I was glad that I was in the right place to help out one of God’s children,” Carter said.

CPD Supt. Eddie Johnson encourages people to learn about what the law entails and spread the word.

“You might just save a life,” Johnson said.

Anjel expressed that she would like her birth parents to know that she is content with the life she has been given.

“I like where I’m at right now,” said the teen. “I’m like very content with my life right now.”

Three-year-old Trinity has her big brother Gabriel and a family that loves her.

“Super loved, adored, actually everyone who comes into contact with her is just amazed by her story,” said Trinity’s adoptive mother Christie.

To date, 126 babies have been saved through the Safe Haven Law and these families hope that the number continues to grow. 

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