Barely a few days into the new year, the evening news reported the tragic news that a mother in New Mexico had tossed her infant in a dumpster. This did not have to happen.
A reporter from Univision reached out to A Safe Haven for Newborns and Cindy Delgado, Safe Haven Ambassador, spoke with them and explained the options an expectant mother in distress has and what she can do before reaching this critical, life-threatening stage.
Cindy explained that A Safe Haven receives seven to eight calls per day from expectant mothers who feel overwhelmed and abandoned by those close to her. These girls — women — feel that they have no options but to hide their pregnancy and choose to ignore their situation until it is too late; and in a moment of panic discard their newborn in the nearest canal, empty field, or, as in this recent case, trash receptacle behind a retail strip center. Tossing the infant as if it were a piece of trash more often resulting in the infant’s death. The calls that are received at A Safe Haven range in age from as young as 13 years old to adult women in their 40s.
Many of the callers are looking for information, guidance, and support. Some are hiding their pregnancy from their families, others have been ostracized by their families and are living in the streets and have not received prenatal care.
"We handle every call with the utmost care, respect, and confidentiality," said Cindy. Depending on the expectant mother’s need and where they are in Florida or other states, they are referred for counseling, parenting, placement at shelters, maternity homes, provide temporary housing, help for abuse issues, even a suicide call. They are also referred for health-related issues, provide them with baby items, and connect them to Medicaid.
If she already gave birth and the infant is less than seven days old, she can confidentially place the newborn at a designated Safe Haven facility such as hospitals or 24/7 staffed Fire/EM stations. A Safe Haven for Newborns does not charge for any of its services.
This does not have to happen. We are just a phone call away.
