Newborn Baby Boys Safely Surrendered in Whittier and Santa Monica

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is proud to announce that the County’s Safe Surrender Program celebrated success twice last week with the report of two safely surrendered newborn baby boys. These most recent Safe Surrenders both occurred on Tuesday, December 8. A baby boy was safely surrendered at a hospital in Whittier and another baby boy was safely surrendered at a hospital in Santa Monica.

As is standard practice, the newborns are in protective custody and will be placed with a family approved for adoption by the Department of Children and Family Services.

“I am thrilled to hear that both of these mothers made the right choice by safely surrendering their babies,” said Supervisor Knabe. “Safe Surrender, an idea born from tragedy, has grown into a truly life-saving, and life-giving program. Though we’ve been able to save the lives of 142 babies so far, we need to continue spreading the word that there is a safe, secure and anonymous way for mothers, who find themselves in a desperate situation, to get their baby into safe hands—at any fire station or hospital, any time—and protect them from abandonment—No Shame. No Blame. No Names.”

These are the 17th and 18th Safe Surrenders in Los Angeles County in 2015, and the 141st and 142nd since the program began 14 years ago. The program was initiated by Supervisor Knabe and approved unanimously by the Board of Supervisors in 2001. It allows someone to surrender an infant that is no more than three days old, as long as the infant shows no signs of abuse.

To learn more about the Safe Surrender Program, visit BabySafeLA.org.