The “Baby Moses Law” is the common name of the law authorizing a designated emergency infant care provider, i.e. Fire Station, Hospital Emergency Department, etc., to take possession of a child appearing to be 60-days-old or younger from the child’s parents, if the parent does not express intent to return for the child, as recorded in the Texas Family Code, Chapter 262, Subchapter D. Emergency Possession of Certain Abandoned Children.

 

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Departmental SOP is to give an outline of procedures to follow in the event an Ennis Fire Department Station receives an infant from a parent surrendering the infant according to the “Baby Moses Law.”  Ennis Fire Department, as an EMS provider, is mandated by the Texas Family Code to take possession of infants that are brought to the fire station that appear to be no more than 60-days-old.

 

POSTING OF THE SAFE BABY SITE SIGN

Under this State of Texas law, all Texas EMS providers are “designated emergency infant care providers” for these abandoned infants.  In addition, “each designated emergency infant care provider shall post, in a conspicuous location, a notice stating that the provider is a designated emergency infant care provider location and will accept possession of a child meeting the requirements within the law.”  The signs are state mandated and standardized.  The signs are provided by the Baby Moses Dallas Organization.  The signs are located on the front of each station, and are to remain in the designated locations.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

When presented with an infant (60-days-old or younger) at the fire station who has been voluntarily surrendered by the parent and that parent does not express intent to return for the child, the parent cannot be prosecuted for child abandonment.  If this child is over 60-days-old, take possession of the child and follow the same procedures.  The difference pertaining to the older child is the fact the parents lose their immunity and can be prosecuted for abandonment.

 

1.      Upon receiving an infant, the medic in charge will assume patient care and Ennis Dispatch shall be notified immediately for an incident number, as the surrendering infant shall be treated as a patient.  Medical Protocols shall be followed at all times.

 

2.      Ennis Fire Department personnel have no legal duty to detain or pursue the parent unless the child appears to have been abused or neglected.

a.       If the child is showing signs of abuse or neglect, Ennis Police Department is to be notified immediately of the situation and an officer shall be requested.

 

3.      Ennis Fire Department personnel have no legal duty to determine the parent’s identity.

 

4.      Upon receipt of an infant, the firefighter receiving the infant from the parent shall attempt to give the parent the self addressed stamped “Anonymous Newborn Medical Questionnaire Letter” located at the fire station (Form # “Baby Moses”).  Assure the parent that the questionnaire will ensure their anonymity and is strictly voluntary.  The forms shall be kept at a central location and readily available to all personnel.

 

5.      Once a child is accepted at the fire station, the Officer In Charge should be contacted as soon as possible.  The Officer In Charge should notify the Fire Chief of the situation. 

 

6.      The infant shall then be transported, as a patient, to Ennis Regional Medical Center.  Once at Ennis Regional Medical Center, the on-duty Human Resource Representative shall be notified by the emergency room personnel.  Ennis Regional Medical Center and the Human Resource Representative will then assume patient care and contact will be made with the Department of Family and Protective Services (CPS).

 

7.      Have the Emergency Room Nurse or Physician sign your patient form accepting patient care as with any other transported patient.

 

8.      The Ennis Fire Department Medic In Charge shall remain at the Emergency Department if requested to do so by the Human Resource Representative to give any further needed information to the Department of Family and Protective Services Representative (CPS) upon their arrival.

 

9.      Thoroughly document the incident

 

ABANDONED BABY INFORMATION AND CONTACTS

 

·        Department of Family and Protective Services Contact Person for the City of Ennis

 

·        Ennis Regional Medical Center Human Resource Representative

·        Texas Department of Family and Protective Services website information on the “Baby Moses Law”;

o         http://dfps.state.tx.us/child_care/information_for_child_care_professionals/designated_emergency.asp

 

·        Safe Place for Newborns

o       120 S. 6th Street, Suite 1150

Minneapolis, MN 55402

(612) 317-2895

http://www.safeplacefornewborns.com/page%202.html

 

·        Ellis County Baby Moses Coordinator

 

·        Executive Director of Baby Moses Dallas

 

·        Project Coordinator of Baby Moses Dallas