After seeing national headlines of babies being abandoned in dumpsters and trash bags, Dr. Adam Childers wants to make sure that doesn’t happen here. 

None of the incidents occurred in Wyoming, but the Powell Valley Healthcare hospitalist still wants expectant mothers to know that Wyoming, like all states, has a “safe haven” law. 

Wyoming’s law allows a mother to drop her baby off at a “safe haven provider” up to 14 days after birth. She will not be required to give her name, but she may be asked some information concerning any of the child’s medical needs. 

“The law helps these moms not feel villainized. They’re making the hard decision to allow someone else to care for her child, and that’s courageous. It’s better than seeing a tragedy occur,” Childers said. 

The Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS) says it’s aware of two cases in which Wyoming’s safe haven law has been used. 

Leaving a baby with providers at a designated facility will not constitute abandonment, abuse or neglect. Safe haven providers include fire stations, police stations, or hospitals — so long as they are manned 24/7.

“That’s critical to the component. There’s got to be people there to submit to,” said Powell Police Chief Roy Eckerdt. 

The Powell fire hall wouldn’t fit the description since it’s manned by volunteers who aren’t always on site. However, Eckerdt said the Powell Police Department would accept infants under 14 days old under the safe haven law. 

Currently, all 50 states have safe haven laws. The ages of the children, who may surrender the child and what circumstances are covered under the law vary from state to state, but the intent is the same. 

“Ultimately, it’s about the safety of that child,” Eckerdt explained. 

An infant left with the police will be turned over to the hospital, who will then contact DFS to arrange to have the child placed in foster care. 

Childers said that life in a small town lends itself to the “everybody knows everybody” environment, which could be a deterrent for a mother needing safe haven. The law does not require the mother or designee to drop the infant off in the town in which the mother resides. So, a mother in Powell, for example, could go to the police or a hospital in Cody or Lovell — anywhere in Wyoming. 

Unless the parent of the newborn relinquished under safe haven seeks a return of the child, DFS will petition for the termination of parental rights after three months.

“We’ve seen these tragedies in other places. We have good options here in Wyoming, and I want people to know about these options and how to access them,” Childers said.