Angel Cradle Program

Service offers:

• an anonymous safe haven and last resort option for parents who feel they cannot keep their newborn baby

After leaving a newborn baby:

• a delayed alarm will be triggered after the child is placed in the cradle, to give the adult time to walk away
• newborns receive a health assessment and a hospital social worker will contact Child and Family Services Authority (CFSA)
• the baby will be placed in temporary care with Child and Family Services Authority (CFSA)
• Child and Family Services Authority (CFSA) will make all attempts to identify and locate the parents - they are obligated to do so according to the law
• the hospital or police will not try to locate the infant's parents as long as the child is not harmed in any way (leaving a baby is not a criminal offence unless the baby is injured)

The program supports the rights of children to know their parental history, and this program is a preventative measure that gives the child a chance to know its history and be reunited if the parent(s) comes forward later. Parents are encouraged to leave health and medical information about the mother, father, and baby.

• parents with newborn infants
• who feel they have no other options

• pamphlets are located inside the Angel Cradle that explain the process thoroughly and provide more contacts for information, help, and support

• an enclosed cradle is located behind the door (located outside of the building)
• the parent leaving an infant can place the child inside and secure the door shut
• once the door has been secured for 60 seconds, an alarm sounds in the Emergency department. This signals a nurse to go look through the digital peephole to make sure there is no sign of another adult, ensuring the privacy of whomever is placing the infant inside

• Children / Families - Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention
• Violence / Abuse - Child Abuse