Ennis Fire Department

Baby Safe Site – “Baby Moses” Law

   Dear Birth Mother/Parent,

Thank you for considering bringing your baby to the fire station, No matter what difficulties you are going through, you still chose to bring your child to a safe place. Thank You. Please know that we will do everything we can to give you beautiful child the best possible care.

Ennis Fire Department is honored to be a Designated Emergency Infant care Provider.

What is the "Baby Moses Law?"

The "Baby Moses Law" is the common name of a law authorizing a designated emergency infant care provider to take possession of a child appearing to be 60-days-old or younger from the child's parent, if the parent does not express intent to return for the child. You can find this law in the Texas Family Code, Chapter 262, Subchapter D. Emergency Possession of Certain Abandoned Children.

 

What are the purposes of this law?

One purpose of the law is to encourage parents who abandon their children to do so with a designated emergency infant care provider rather than at a dangerous location. The law also protects parents from criminal prosecution when they deliver an unharmed child to a designated emergency infant care provider.

 

How does the law work?

Any parent may voluntarily deliver a child 60 days old or younger to a designated emergency infant care provider when the parent does not express intent to return for the child.

 

What is a designated emergency infant care provider?

Under House Bill 706, which went into effect on September 1, 2001, a child-placing agency (CPA) licensed by DFPS can be a designated emergency infant care provider if the CPA :

  • Agrees to act as a designated emergency infant care provider; and
  • Has on staff a person who is licensed as a registered nurse under Chapter 301, Occupations Code, or who provides emergency medical services under Chapter 773, Health and Safety Code, and who will examine and provide emergency medical services to a child taken into possession by the agency.

What if my family have medical problems?

When you place your child in the custody of the firefighters, we will offer you a voluntary health form to fill out at your convenience. You do not have to provide your name or any information that you do not wish to share. The packet has a self address stamped envelope, so you may mail it at your convenience. The form is also available here, if you wish to fill it out prior contact with us. Voluntary Health Form

Other FAQ'S

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If I want to leave my baby at a Safe Baby Site, where can I go?

  • You may take your baby to any hospital, fire rescue station, or emergency medical technician (EMT) in the state of Texas.

  • Please remember that it is VERY important to give your baby to a person working at one of these facilities. That is the best way to care for your baby.

  • People working at these facilities usually have some form of visible identification.

  • Tell the person that you want to leave your baby at the Safe Baby Site.

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How long can I wait before I take my baby?

  • You can take your baby, up to 60 days old.

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What will they ask me?

  • The people at the Safe Baby Site where you choose to leave your baby may provide you with a voluntary form to fill out that is used to provide medical information for your child.  This is NOT an attempt to try to find out who you are.  This information will be put in your baby’s records, and may help answer health questions in the future.
  • The Safe Baby Site may offer to give you some referrals and help lines that you may want to call in the future if you want to speak with someone about what you have been through.

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Is it true that the police will not be called?

  • The police will not be called if your unharmed baby (60 days old or less) is brought to a hospital, fire rescue station or EMS station and given to a person who works there.
  • If you leave your unharmed baby at a hospital, fire station or with an EMT, you will not be prosecuted for abandonment or neglect.

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What happens to my baby?

  • If you leave your baby at a fire station or with and EMT, they will give the baby immediate medical care and then transport the baby to the closest appropriate hospital.
  • The hospital will take care of any additional medical needs that your baby may have.
  • The Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (TDPRS) will then take custody of your child.
  • After the legal responsibilities are fulfilled by TDPRS, your baby will be placed with caring family.

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Why must the baby be 60 days old or less?

  • The intent of Baby Moses law is to provide a responsible alternative to desperate mothers.
  • The first days of a newborns life are the most critical, and most likely the time that immediate medical attention is required.

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I have other questions, Where do I look for information?

 

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