In April, two babies were relinquished at Connecticut hospitals under the state’s Safe Havens Act, according to the state Department of Children and Families. The babies were surrendered to Yale New Haven Hospital and Connecticut Children’s at the University of Connecticut Health Center, DCF said. 

The Safe Havens Act, which was enacted 25 years ago, allows a parent to give up their infant to hospital emergency room staff anonymously and without the threat of prosecution. DCF then places the baby in a preapproved adoptive home.

At a Wednesday press conference, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said the Safe Havens Act has had “an incredible impact” and called it “life-saving.” 

“Those women who find themselves in a situation where they deliver a baby and they cannot or they do not want to raise that baby, they may feel incredibly isolated and challenged and judged, and they may feel they have nowhere to turn,” Bysiewicz said.

Under the law, a baby may be surrendered at a designated location by a parent, relative or advocate for the child, and the parent has 30 days to change their mind and begin working with DCF to see if reunification is possible. There are 37 medical centers in Connecticut — 25 of them hospitals — that allow babies to be surrendered 24 hours a day.

Pam Sawyer, a former state representative who spearheaded the law’s passage, said she intended it to be “so simple it could be shared in the school bus.”

But two babies relinquished in the same month — though these are the only two babies relinquished so far this year — marks a spike from the usual trend. Since the law went into effect, a total of 60 babies have been relinquished. And in 2025, just one baby was surrendered the whole year. 

Co-chair of the General Assembly’s Committee on Children, Sen. Ceci Maher, D-Wilton, outlined a number of issues that could lead a parent to give up their baby, such as inadequate housing or financial instability. 

The Committee on Children advanced a bill this session that would establish a task force to study the voluntary surrender of infants — including considerations for the best way to provide such a program without perpetuating “racial, ethnic, health, economic and socioeconomic disparities” among parents looking to surrender.

The bill passed the state Senate on April 15 and awaits a vote in the House.

Some lawmakers and advocates have suggested adding another option for parents considering giving up a baby — temperature-controlled chambers known as “baby boxes” that are installed within the exterior walls of a surrender location to allow parents to relinquish the infant anonymously.

Once a baby is left in the box device, alerts are sent to staff and to 911 dispatch centers. The boxes are designed with bassinets, and equipped with electricity, air conditioning and heating, but they’re not federally regulated. Lori Bruce, a researcher and bioethicist at Yale University, pointed this out during her testimony at a public hearing on the legislation Feb. 17.

“Even our hairdryers, even tongue depressors, all sorts of much more basic tools require regulation,” Bruce said. 

The boxes are intended to be anonymous, but that’s not always possible when they are installed at places like firehouses, which have cameras all around the building. 

Bruce said the boxes also remove the opportunity for any face-to-face interaction between the parent and a public service worker who might offer access to resources like crisis counseling — or simply ask if they are okay.

Baby boxes have been installed in 20 states so far, according to Safe Haven Baby Boxes.

Sawyer said she is in favor of the baby boxes, but only after more research.

“I love the idea, but I don’t know that they’re quite there yet,” she said. “My view still is that it’s advocacy and teaching” that will help those who need the Safe Havens Act the most.

Many Connecticut families are struggling to find housing or living in cramped, run-down apartments that get more expensive each year. Take for example “Sam,” a mother of two in her mid-30s. After fleeing from an abusive relationship, Sam stayed in a shelter for a period of time, but found it difficult to find a safe apartment for her and her children.

In an interview with Dr. Tricia Lewis, Sam said, “When I was first looking for an apartment, it was hard to find one because… the rents are so high [and] because a lot of landlords want cash on the spot. And if you don’t have the cash on the spot, they don’t want to deal with you.” 

Sam looked for several months to find a suitable apartment, being turned away multiple times due to her source of payment, a housing voucher. This search caused a great deal of stress and worry for Sam, as it does for many other Connecticut residents who are priced out or discriminated against in their housing search.

We can do better for our people – Connecticut families need more quality, affordable housing options.

Connecticut faces a housing shortage of up to 380,000 units, and the average renter makes only $22.69 per hour, which is significantly less than the $35.42 required for a modest, two-bedroom apartment.

Under the House Bill 5396 known as “YIGBY” (Yes in Gods Backyard), Connecticut now has an opportunity to address this situation. This bill would make it easier for religious organizations like churches and synagogues to build affordable housing on their own land which often goes untouched. Religious organizations are already in a position to support this being that they look for ways to benefit and support the community around them.

 This approach is not only practical, but also essential. The supply and demand for housing in Connecticut are significantly out of balance. Zillow data shows that rents and property prices have been rising gradually in recent years, putting pressure on individuals with middle-class and lower-class incomes. Renting families will continue to become more unstable as a result of this tendency if nothing is done. YIGBY  provides a cost-effective and efficient means of expanding the housing supply without needing additional land for development.

This bill is particularly important because of the link between housing and health. The affordability crisis is a public health issue, not just a housing problem. Health can  deteriorate when a family’s housing costs exceed half of their income. Families in “cost-burdened” situations are more likely to experience chronic stress, which is directly linked to heart disease and hypertension, and they are less likely to seek preventative care.

Children who experience this degree of housing uncertainty are exposed to toxic stress, which has an impact on their long-term academic success and brain development. Stable housing allows individuals to maintain employment, access healthcare, and build supportive social networks. It improves mental health, lowers ER visits, and makes children’s surroundings safer. In this way, investing in housing is also an investment in public health infrastructure.

YIGBY guidelines, according to their opponents, might give religious organizations unique rights to override local zoning laws. It is important to note that zoning regulations have frequently been utilized to keep affordable homes out of high opportunity neighborhoods, perpetuating racial and economic segregation.

The YIGBY strategy lowers needless obstacles that impede prompt solutions; it does not entirely eliminate oversight. “Restrictive zoning is one of the biggest constraints on housing supply in high-cost areas,” according to housing expert Jenny Schuetz. If Connecticut wants to increase housing access and health outcomes, these limitations must be addressed.

Connecticut lawmakers should move quickly by passing YIGBY legislation. By doing this, religious organizations could re-purpose their property, more affordable housing options would be available for Connecticut families, and one of the primary causes of health disparities in the state would be addressed. More importantly, it would show a commitment to innovative, community-based solutions that prioritize human well-being and dignity.

Isabela Lizano is a junior at Sacred Heart University, majoring in Health Sciences with a concentration in Public Health.

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) — A 24-year-old man has been convicted of first-degree murder in connection to the deadly shooting of Elis Vizcarrondo back in 2022, according to Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni.

On July 3^rd, 2022, officers arrived to the scene at the Connecticut River, finding Vizcarrondo’s body after he had been shot in the back of the head and through his right eye.

During the investigation, officials received information from witnesses that led them to 131 Clemente Street in Holyoke, where it was confirmed, the victim was killed. Officials were also able to find out there were multiple others involved.

One of the others, William Bell, was charged, but had already passed away in April 2025, while in custody at the Berkshire County Jail and House of Correction. Officials say Miguel Morales was also later charged, as an accessory after the fact.

During the trial of 24-year-old Elijah Melendez of Holyoke, it came out that Melendez had admitted to multiple people that he worked alongside Bell to kill Vizcarrondo, due to their connection with a separate homicide investigation.

Melendez was found guilty by a jury of first-degree murder, possession of a firearm without a license, and possession of ammunition without a license. His sentencing is scheduled for Friday, May 1st, in Hampden Superior Court.

The investigation was conducted through a coordinated effort between the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office, along with the Holyoke Police Department and the Chicopee Police Department.