Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce the County’s Safe Surrender Program celebrated success for the second time this month with the report of a safely surrendered newborn baby girl. This most recent safe surrender occurred on January 22, 2014 at a hospital in Torrance. A newborn baby girl was safely surrendered earlier this month at a hospital in Culver City.

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

“Thanks to the Safe Surrender program, these baby girls have a second chance at life,” said Supervisor Knabe. “What could have been a tragic situation is instead a decision that allows these girls the chance to be part of a loving family. As word continues to spread about the Program, others in similar situations can make the right choice for their babies and themselves, because of Safe Surrender.”

This is the second Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2014, and the 115th since the program began nearly 13 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.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce the County’s Safe Surrender Program celebrated success for the ninth time this year with the report of a safely surrendered newborn baby boy. This most recent safe surrender occurred on December 29, 2013 at a hospital in Valencia.

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

“Just a few months ago, we launched a new Safe Surrender outreach campaign with a message to desperate mothers that ‘there is a better choice,’” said Supervisor Knabe. “This mother made the better choice by safely surrendering her baby at a hospital, and now her child has a chance to be part of a loving family.  As word continues to spread about the Program, other moms in similar situations can make the right choice for their babies and themselves, because of Safe Surrender. What better way to begin a new year than with the gift of life for this baby boy.”

This is the ninth Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2013, and the 113th since the program began over twelve 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.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce the County’s Safe Surrender Program celebrated success for the eighth time this year with the report of a safely surrendered newborn baby girl. This most recent safe surrender occurred on November 16, 2013 at a hospital in Torrance.

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

“Just a couple months ago, we launched a new Safe Surrender outreach campaign with a message to desperate mothers that ‘there is a better choice,’” said Supervisor Knabe. “This mother made the better choice by safely surrendering her baby at a hospital, and now her child has a chance to be part of a loving family. As word continues to spread about the Program, other moms in similar situations can make the right choice for their babies and themselves, because of Safe Surrender.”

This is the eighth Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2013, and the 112th since the program began over twelve 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.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce the County’s Safe Surrender Program celebrated success for the seventh time this year with the report of a safely surrendered newborn baby girl. This most recent safe surrender occurred on September 30, 2013 at a hospital in Lancaster.

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

“Last week, we launched a new Safe Surrender outreach campaign with a message to desperate mothers that ‘there is a better choice,’” said Supervisor Knabe. “This mother made the better choice by safely surrendering her baby at a hospital, and now her child has a chance to be part of a loving family.  As word continues to spread about the Program, other moms in similar situations can make the right choice for their babies and themselves, because of Safe Surrender.”

This is the seventh Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2013, and the 110th since the program began over twelve 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.

The new Safe Surrender campaign expands the program’s outreach to communities across Los Angeles County by launching in multiple languages and relying on a mix of traditional and grassroots awareness efforts. The campaign includes billboards, posters, bumper stickers, brochures and a redesigned website.

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

What:

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe will highlight the success of the County’s Baby Safe Surrender program with the launch of a new awareness campaign and the celebration of a former Safe Surrender baby’s 4^th birthday. The new Baby Safe Surrender campaign will expand the program’s outreach to communities across Los Angeles County by launching in multiple languages, collaborating with community-based organizations and relying on a mix of traditional and grassroots awareness efforts.

Why:

The recent discovery of an abandoned baby boy in South El Monte, and the Safe Surrender of a newborn girl a few days later, is a reminder that more work must be done to spread the word about Baby Safe Surrender. The Baby Safe Surrender program was created to give a mother, no matter the situation, a safe, secure and anonymous way to get her child into safe hands—No shame, No blame, No names. Nicholas’ 4^th birthday is a reminder of the 109 precious lives saved by the Baby Safe Surrender program. It is a celebration of all the children who were given a second chance at life by mothers who made the right choice for their baby and for themselves.

Who:

Elected Officials and community leaders speaking at the event and available for interviews:

• Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe
• Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby
• Los Angeles County Department of Health Services Director Dr. Mitchell Katz
• First 5 LA Director of Public Affairs Francisco Oaxaca

Additional attendees available for interviews:

• Nicholas’ family
• Adoptive families of safely surrendered children
• Deane Tilton, Inter-Agency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect

When:

Thursday September 26, 2013 at 3:00pm

Where:

Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration
500 West Temple Street, 90012 | Across from the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels
Parking for media available in front of building.

Visuals:

• Nicholas blowing out his birthday candles and celebrating his birthday with other surrendered children, their families and Supervisor Knabe.
• Community leaders speaking and attending the event.
• Fire truck and firefighters onsite.
• Kids interacting with firefighters and getting to try on gear.
• Balloons, cake, balloon artist, etc.
• Large visuals of the new campaign unveiled.
• Attendees looking at the new website on laptops.

Background:

Established by Supervisor Knabe in 2001, the Baby Safe Surrender program allows a parent or legal guardian to confidentially hand over an infant, three days old or younger, to any hospital emergency room or fire station in Los Angeles County. As long as the baby has not been abused or neglected, the person may surrender the baby without fear of arrest or prosecution for child abandonment. Since the program began, 109 babies have been safely surrendered in Los Angeles County, including six this year.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce the County’s Safe Surrender Program celebrated success for the sixth time this year with the report of a safely surrendered newborn baby boy. This most recent safe surrender occurred on September 17, 2013 at a hospital in Van Nuys.

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

This latest Safe Surrender comes as Los Angeles County prepares to launch a new public awareness campaign for the Safe Surrender program next week.

“Our new campaign will expand the program’s outreach to the communities of Los Angeles County by launching in multiple languages, collaborating with community-based organizations and relying on a mix of traditional and grassroots awareness efforts,” said Supervisor Knabe. “Recent events such as the discovery of abandoned baby in South El Monte and the subsequent Safe Surrenders of two newborns are a reminder to us that we have much more work to do to spread the word about the program. The Safe Surrender program was created to give a mother, no matter the situation, a safe, secure and anonymous way to get her child into safe hands—No shame, No blame, No names.”

This is the sixth Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2013, and the 109th since the program began over twelve 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 http://youtu.be/_EGoPXD23G0.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce the County’s Safe Surrender Program celebrated success for the fifth time this year with the report of a safely surrendered newborn baby girl. This most recent safe surrender occurred on September 6, 2013 at a hospital in Los Angeles.

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

“After last week’s horrific discovery of an abandoned, deceased baby, I’m extremely thankful that this mother, despite her desperate situation, decided to surrender her baby, and give her a second chance at life,” said Supervisor Knabe. “As we prepare to launch a campaign refresh of our Safe Surrender materials later this month, and word continues to spread about the Program, other moms in similar situations can make the right choice for their babies and themselves, because of Safe Surrender.”

This is the fifth Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2013, and the 108th since the program began over twelve 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 http://youtu.be/_EGoPXD23G0.

Following yesterday’s discovery of an abandoned, deceased newborn in South El Monte, Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is reminding residents about the County’s Safe Surrender program.

“Appalling tragedies like what occurred in the South El Monte yesterday are stark reminders to mothers in desperate situations that there is always a choice for their baby,” said Supervisor Knabe. “Sadly, the first newborn abandonment of 2013 comes at a time when we are preparing to launch a campaign refresh of our Safe Surrender materials. The Safe Surrender program was created to give a mother, no matter what the situation, a safe, secure and anonymous way to get her child into safe hands—at any fire station or hospital, any time—and  to protect a baby from abandonment: No shame, No blame, and No names. Though 107 lives have been saved by the Safe Surrender program, yesterday’s disheartening news is proof that we have much more work to do.”

Established by Supervisor Knabe in 2001, the Safe Surrender program allows a parent or legal guardian to confidentially handover an infant, three days old or younger, to any hospital emergency room or fire station in Los Angeles County. As long as the baby has not been abused or neglected, the person may surrender the baby without fear of arrest or prosecution for child abandonment.

Since the program began, 107 babies have been safely surrendered in Los Angeles County, including four this year. The multilingual Safe Surrender Hotline, 1-877-BABY-SAFE, is available 24-hours a day for more information and the location of the nearest Safe Surrender site. Safe Surrender sites can also be found by calling the County helpline at 211 or by visiting www.babysafela.org.

To learn more about the Safe Surrender program, visit http://youtu.be/_EGoPXD23G0.