In Washington State, a parent may anonymously hand over their infant within 72 hours of birth. You can leave an infant at any hospital, staffed fire station, or rural health clinic without fear of prosecution.
It is critical that you have a safe plan for your baby. Call the hotline at 1-888-510-2229.
The hotline team will help you with parenting support, temporary placement options, adoption information, and the Safe Haven process. We want to help you make a safe plan for your baby.
For infants who are more than three days old, there are other safe options. Please call the hotline or go to the nearest emergency room if you need adoption resources or help with temporary placement and/or voluntary placement in foster care.
You must leave your baby with an on-duty staff member at one of the following three locations to avoid prosecution:
A parent of a newborn who leaves their newborn with a qualified person at a designated drop-off location is not subject to criminal liability. A qualified person means any person that you reasonably believe is:
Revised Code of Washington 13.34.360 - Transfer of newborn to qualified person/ Criminal liability/Notification to child protective services/Definitions.
Revised Code of Washington 9A.42.060-080 - Abandonment of a Dependent Person.
Revised Code of Washington 26.20.030-035 - Family Abandonment/Family Support.
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Updated 12/11/2024
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