When a female has a baby and drops it off at one of those safe drop off places with no questions asked...?

Question

what happens next? (I am talking about if a girl/woman doesn't want the baby...if that wasn't clear?)

The only reason I was asking was because I was curious if they attempt to find either parent of the child, or if dropping the baby off, legally terminates the parents rights?

Then I was wondering if they tracked the father down, could he be forced to pay child support, or if he decided to take the baby, could he force mom to pay child support.

Then that made me wonder if a mom can put a child up for adoption without the fathers consent, and what if she doesn't know who the father is?

I have a string of questions about this popping into my head, so anyone with any knowledge on this subject...even if it is not something I specifically asked feel free to enlighten me.

Oh, and don't worry, this question has nothing to do with me...or anyone having done this or thinking of doing it. No need for anyone to worry. I am just being inquisitive.

Answer 1

No, they dont try to find the parents, the only time they probably will look for you is if you do not hand the child over to a person...it is illegal to just leave a baby at a doorstep or unattended and must come in unharmed. In most states, the child cannot be more than 72 hours old (very few allow up to a year). And you must make it clear to the States do allow the mother to change their mind...some allow 2 weeks others allow a month for them to change their minds before their baby is free to adopt.

Answer 2

I was just telling my husband about this...not because we were looking into it but he asked me about it because it was on t.v. But all the girls have to do is bring the baby into a hospital and leave it with one of the nurses and they will not ask you questions. You also have to do it with in 3 days of the birth. I hope all that helps.

Answer 3

It is legal to drop a infant off at a safe drop off spot.The mother is asked no questions however if the mother volunteers health info on both sides of the family then that helps alot.I have even heard of a mother going back up to a year later and getting her baby back.They state the mother did nothing to harm the babys well being by dropping the baby off so there for the mother is legally entiled to have her baby back.I say hog wash to that.

Answer 4

It is the end, they don't ask questions, they turn the baby over to child protective services and the parental rights are terminated although not legally, since they can't get the mother into court to sign the papers.  But if the child is adopted, and the mother tried to reappear and take the child, she would not be allowed to.

Answer 5

a) the people at the safe drop place do try to find the parents but it's nearly impossible unless their DNA is in the federal system. usually the kid is put into foster care.

b)the father, if tracked down, can be forced to pay support if the court makes them. if the father was then a good father(proven by court), if he knows the mom he can take her to court and she'll have to pay support.

c)a mom(or dad) can put a child up for adoption without the other parent's consent as long as the parent does not know who the other parent is. also, if one parent hands legal responsibility over the other parent, their permission is not needed to put the kid up for adoption. they do however, have to be informed that their child is being put up for adoption

if you need anything else just ask and i'll try to help more

Answer 6

No questions asked means just that. In NJ, we have a Safe Haven law to protect children from being abandoned in cold weather or the elements, and I think it's great. Not everyone is of the right mind to seek out an adoptive family for their child, and this is one way, although not the best way, that they can give up their child with no ?'s asked.

Answer 7

No one does that anymore. They used to do it because of poverty and because s*x outside of marriage got you condemned to h**l by the catholic church. Now, thousands of couples are waiting to adopt and you can choose which ones you want. With the technology today, they could most likely track down the family of the child and charge them with child abandonment or something.

Answer 8

When mother's drop off their child at these places, they do so ANONYMOUSLY so there's no real way to "track down the father."  The anonymity is something that appeals to these women - they don't have to worry about feeling judged and it keeps precious unwanted children from being left in a dumpster somewhere.  

I'm not sure if you can put your child up for adoption without the father's consent.  I think if the father is in the picture, then by law, you'd need to get the father's consent.  If the father is unknown, then I suppose there's nothing the mother could do.  Usually when the father is involved, the adoptive parents have to give that person a chance to contest the adoption I think.

Answer 9

Well you can always take the baby to the fire station and they wont ask any questions. But if by chance you know of somebody who may be doing this then I know that my husband and I are looking to adopt, just thought I would put that out their.

Answer 10

Wow... that's a big issue!

Here's what I know (but every state IS different... check with yours!).

Here, babies can be left at hospitals and fire stations, with no repercussions to the mother.   I believe there is a period of time where she can reclaim the baby.  Most of these babies go directly into foster care, where someone will love them right away.  Obviously, the father can't claim the baby unless he knows what she's done.

A mom can put a baby up for adoption if she doesn't know who the father is (or if she "claims" she doesn't know who the father is).  If she places a father's name on the birth certificate, she has to have his consent.  If a mother has a baby dropped off or put up for adoption, and the father wants his rights but finds out about it later, he has six months from the time he's learned about the baby or the baby's wearabouts (again, in my state, every state is different) to make a claim.  The adoption can be overturned by a father claiming his rights.

Hope this helps!

Answer 11

Safe drop off terminates all parental rights of mother, father and other relatives to the child.  However, it may be the best thing for an unwanted child because the agency will see that the child is cared for and not harmed.  It is truly, a shame and a disgrace that our society has slipped down to this level of irresponsibility in sexual behavior and detachment to offspring and family values.

Answer 12

I'm not sure about tracking down the parents. I do know that if the baby is dropped off at a fire station, police station, or hospital no questions will be asked, not criminal charges either. But the baby has to be 3 days old or younger I think.

Answer 13

By tracking down the mother, the system can assess her situation and decide what the proper outcome is.  Perhaps she is on the streets, desperate or on welfare.  She may have a mental illness or serious health problems.  The system should help her and the child if it is feasible.

Answer 14

The child would be put in foster care until it was adopted.

Answer 15

After dropping offf the baby the birth mother usually has between 30 to 90 days to decide whether she wants to be a mother or to severe her parental rights.  It is not their usual policy to track the father down. Yes a mother can give a child up for adoption whether she knows who the father of the child is or not.   No even if the father found out and decided to keep his child he can not if the biological mother has voluntarily terminated her parental rights force her to pay child support because the child is no longer legally hers.

Answer 16

There truly are NO questions asked at the hospital drop off points. They may ask if you want to offer some medical information so that the baby's doctors will be have that as well as the foster or adoptive parents, ie; did you drink or use drugs while pregnant, smoke? Do you have any STD's? Or, any family illness history you could offer, ie; cancer running in family, heart issues, etc.,

You will have to sign a form to relinquish your parental rights. Most states have time limits on this, for example, in Maryland, the revocation period is 3 weeks. That means even if you sign the form on a certain date, the law alllows you that 3 weeks to re claim your child, if you change your  mind.  

The drop off option is only one option. My opinion on the best is to consult an agency.  They are prepared to help you with everything. If you do not have insurance, they will find a way to get you covered, either by the potential adoptive parents, or medicaid/medicare.  They will counsel you. VERY important.  Chances are, most birth mothers will think about the child they placed in adoption throughout the rest of their lives, especially as they grow older, and their opinions/views on situations change, as they become more mature that is.  You have the right to decide on whether you want an open or closed adoption. Meaning, letters once a year from the adoptive couple to let you know how the child is doing, this is done through the agency, not mail directly to your address. Open adoption covers a range of possibilities, even visits, if both parties choose, but that is up to each individual and their desires.  The couseling I believe is the most important part here.

As far as the birth father, they do need to petition the courts to find him and notify him.  This normally takes 60 days to accomplish from start to finish, unless he can be contacted easily.. Most one night stand situations however, take the full 60 days as the birth mother only has limited information.

Hope this helped you and answered your questions.

Answer 17

it is no questions asked because there are never any questions asked as long as you drop the baby off with in a set amount of time.  and you can put a baby up for adoption if you don't kn who the father is but if you do know who he is then he has to be notified just in case e wants to raise the baby and if the other gives up all rights to the baby then no she can not be made to pay child support, and same thing for he father.

Answer 18

I know if you take your baby and drop it off at the firestation no one will ask any questions or go looking for the mother.

Answer 19

They do not attempt to find the parents of the child and typically terminate rights 30 days to 6 months depending on state laws.

I think Safe Haven laws are ineffective and actually encourage people who would not have otherwise abandoned children in unsafe places to abandon them through this method. There has been NO DECREASE in the number of infant deaths discovered.

Much to my utter surprise, a distant relative was able to secure his infant daughter who had been abandoned at a Safe Haven site.  He suspected she might be pregnant, but she denied it and when she suddenly stopped wearing baggy clothes, he got wise and contacted Social Services. DNA proved the baby was his. Her rights were already stripped and at this time, he has a court order preventing contact due to her family's actions.

Answer 20

When a mother drops off the baby it's best if she gives some info, like date of birth and / or any medical history.  If not than the baby & mothers rights are severed and they look into getting this baby checked out & put into emergency foster care or immediate adoption placement.

they do not look for the father, he will not be responsible for the baby, they may try to track him down to see if he wants the baby ... but its doubtful since the mother dropped off the baby it's safe to say he wasn't in the picture.

Yes a mom can put a baby up for adoption without the fathers consent, the agency will try and contact the dad if he is known or if he finds out he has 30 days to make a stand if not then his rights are severed as well in adoption and the adoption takes place.

Rules may vary from state to state but the drop off infant plan is universal (it happens everywhere) and they want the birth mom to know her secret will be safe with them.

Hope this helps.

Answer 21

There are no questions asked at the accepting places.  They do not search for the parents.  

If a woman doesn't know who the father of her baby is, there's nothing to prevent her from putting up her child for adoption.

Answer 22

They'd try to find the mother or father, but it is highly unlikely they'd be able to or even try very hard.  You would terminate your parental rights in doing so.

Answer 23

The reason why they say no questions asked is because they don't ask any questions. You are free to go and no one will ever ask you anything. It's impossible to track down the dad anyway unless they tested every male within a 100 mile radius.

Answer 24

No they don't look for the mother.  There is absolutely NO QUESTIONS ASKED.  But you have to make sure you do it within the time they allow.  There is a certain age that they won't take the baby so make sure that you find out first.  And yes it terminates the parental rights because it's seen as abandonment.

I'm sure there are ways around putting the baby up for adoption without the fathers consent.  If you don't know who the dad is then I don't think it matters any less.

Answer 25

If a baby is dropped off at a safe drop site, there cannot be any follow up for the parent because there is no evidence of who she is.  Of course this terminates the parental rights, because she is voluntarily giving them away.  Even if she were to try to get them back, this would look bad.

If the mother does not know who the father is in an adoption case, then there is no way to get the father's consent.  Unless some man steps up wanting DNA done, then they physically cannot make someone the father, so that would not be an issue.