Safe Arms for Newborns

The County of San Diego has designated all Hospital Emergency Rooms and designated Fire Stations as the location where newborns can safely be surrendered to care without prosecution of the parent.

For more information send us an email or phone 858.616.5931.

 About Safe Arms for Newborns

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors has designated all Hospital Emergency Rooms and designated Fire Stations as the appropriate place to surrender infants safely.

On January 1, 2001, California became one of a dozen states to enact a new law that is intended to provide for the health and safety of unwanted newborn children. The "Safe Arms for Newborns" law states that "no parent or other person who has lawful custody of a minor child 72 hours old or younger may be prosecuted for child abandonment if he or she voluntarily surrenders physical custody of the child to a designated employee at a public or private hospital emergency room or other location designated by the county board of supervisors".

Since 2001, San Diego County hospitals have been designated as Safely Surrender sites as the location where newborns can safely be surrendered to care without prosecution of the parent. As of May 2, 2008 most County fire stations will serve that purpose as well.

 Safe Arms Designated Locations

Below is a list of San Diego County hospitals that have been designated as Safely Surrender sites where newborns can safely be surrendered to care without prosecution of the parent. In addition, most County fire stations will serve that purpose as well. Please see the list below for the list of designated sites.