Safe Haven Hotline

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services has partnered with the National Safe Haven Alliance to offer a 24/7 hotline staffed by highly trained crisis response experts to help parents who are considering relinquishing their baby under Louisiana’s Safe Haven Law. The NSHA’s 24/7 Crisis Hotline – available by calling 1-888-510-BABY (1-888-510-2229) or texting SAFEHAVEN to 313131 – is staffed with a crisis response team comprised of nurses and social workers with expertise in Safe Haven relinquishments, including the requirements of Louisiana’s law. All calls are confidential, unless the parent wishes for their identifying information to be known. Louisiana’s Safe Haven Law provides a safe, legal, last resort to abandonment, allowing a parent to give up custody of a newborn up to 60 days old by bringing the baby to an emergency designated facility, or Safe Haven site. As long as the parent leaves their baby with an employee and the baby shows no signs of abuse or neglect, the parent can walk away knowing that their baby will be safe.  The relinquishing parent may also call 911, allowing the parent to relinquish a baby to an emergency responder.