(AP) — Louisiana’s social services agency is offering a round-the-clock hotline for parents who are considering giving up their baby through the state’s “safe haven” law.
The Department of Children and Family Services is partnering with the National Safe Haven Alliance to provide the hotline staffed by nurses and social workers with expertise in the requirements of Louisiana’s law.
They will walk callers through options of parenting, adoption or relinquishment of the baby.
State lawmakers passed Louisiana’s safe haven law in 2000.
It aims to combat child abandonment by giving parents a way to legally give up a newborn baby.
The hotline is available by calling 1-888-510-BABY or texting SAFEHAVEN to 313131.