TUCSON, Ariz. -- A newborn baby is safe and in good condition after being surrendered to a Tucson Fire station Monday evening.
"The Safe Haven law provides the option for that individual to surrender that baby, and that baby could get into the adoption system or foster care system and continue to hopefully have a healthy life," said Tucson Fire Department Spokesperson Jessica Nolte.
The baby was an estimated 12 hours old and brought between 5 and 6 p.m. Monday. Nolte says a Safe Haven newborn cannot be left unattended.
"The door needs to be knocked on, the bell needs to be rung, to say hey 'I have this life here I am handing off to you'," said Nolte. "So that's one of the stipulations, they have to be surrendered to a member of the department or personnel."
TFD says paramedics evaluated the baby, who is in good condition. The newborn was taken to a local hospital.
The Arizona Safe Haven Law allows an unharmed newborn infant, 72-hours-old or younger, to be left with a Safe Haven provider. Providers include on-duty firefighters, fire stations, on-duty EMT and paramedics and health care institutions.
"In this situation everything worked the way it needed to so that this little life can continue on and become part of someone’s family," said Nolte.
