Former state Rep. Pamela Sawyer talks to reporters about the 25th anniversary of the Safe Havens For Newborns Act on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Hartford. Credit: Screengrab / CT-N
HARTFORD, CT — Twenty-five years after Connecticut enacted a law designed to protect newborns and mothers in crisis, lawmakers, advocates, and medical professionals gathered Thursday at the Legislative Office Building to reflect on its impact and call for renewed public awareness.
The state’s Safe Havens Act for Newborns, enacted in 2000, allows a parent to voluntarily and anonymously surrender an infant who is 30 days old or younger at any hospital emergency room, with no questions asked and no fear of prosecution for abandonment, provided there are no signs of abuse or neglect.
Lori Stewart, legislative liaison for the Catholic Conference of Public Affairs and host of the event, called the bill a unifier.
“No matter where you land or fall in the political, social, economic spectrum, we can all more or less come to a point where we believe that a mother in distress and a newborn baby at risk are worth a fighting chance at a potential positive outcome,” she said.
Advertisement
Carl Schiessel, speaking for the Connecticut Hospital Association, said 37 emergency departments across the state are designated Safe Haven sites. At each location there are signs designating the site as a safe haven and licensed clinicians are trained to provide immediate, compassionate care to both the baby and the parent.
“This law has been a success,” he said. “We need more people to know this.”
The law was inspired by a tragedy that, according to Stewart, “rocked the state.”
In January 1988, a newborn was found dead from exposure in a Meriden parking lot. His identity was unknown, and first responders named him David Paul — “David” meaning “God’s beloved” and “Paul” meaning “Little Man.”
For decades, the baby’s name was all they had. But in 2020, Meriden police, with help from forensic genealogists, identified the child’s mother. She told investigators she had given birth alone and called in an anonymous tip. She reportedly later told police that had the safe haven law existed at the time, she would have used it.
Moved by the case, former Rep. Pam Sawyer, R-Bolton and the late legislator Anne Carbone, R-Southington, helped craft legislation modeled after a Texas law. Connecticut’s version offered a penalty-free option for mothers and limited surrender sites to hospitals — rather than firehouses or police stations — to ensure access to medical care at all hours.
Advertisement
“We have too many unmanned firehouses, especially in rural towns,” Sawyer said. “Hospitals are open, staffed, and ready.”
Sawyer emphasized the need to make the law understandable and accessible, especially to younger audiences.
“We knew that the best thing that we could do was to make the law so simple that it could be shared on a school bus,” she said. “Because that may be something that someone needs to hear, and if they get that info, they are going to realize that there are 24-hour emergency rooms and (the staff will not) ask any questions.”
Once a baby is surrendered, hospital staff notify the Department of Children and Families, which takes immediate custody. The parent receives a packet outlining their rights and options. If they change their mind within 30 days, they can begin the process of reunification through DCF — a process that has occurred in a small number of cases.
Sen. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague, talks to reporters about the 25th anniversary of the Safe Havens For Newborns Act on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Hartford. Credit: Screengrab / CT-N
“This law ensures there’s a safe place when there seems to be no safe place in their world,” said Sen. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague. “It’s not just about the infant—it’s about showing care for the parent, too.”
Rep. Leslie Zupkus, R-Prospect. spoke about the law’s personal impact.
Advertisement
“I have two adopted daughters from similar situations,” she said. “I always tell them their biological mother loved them very much and wanted a better life for them.”
The event also highlighted the story of Panna Krom, a high school student and daughter of Cambodian refugees who gave birth alone in 2006 at age 17. Krom concealed the birth and her newborn died. She was charged with manslaughter and sentenced to 18 years in prison.
Her case drew the attention of Doug Hood, a retired Yale New Haven neurologist, who spoke about how he met Krom when he was volunteering at a women’s prison, Hood took interest in her case and later connected with her parents. Hood eventually advocated for her clemency when he learned that there were many similar cases across the state.
Hood chronicled the case in his 2023 book, Daughter of Song: A Cambodian Refugee Family, Their Daughter, Crime, and Injustice.
“She wasn’t a premeditated or even an intentional killer,” Hood wrote in his book.
Advertisement
The law’s reach has also been bolstered by community advocates like Tiffany Quinn, who became involved in 2014 after hearing news of another infant death in East Hartford.
“This was truly a work of all of our hearts, and this came from a place of public service from the heart for what we believe is right and needed,” she said. Quinn helped launch a working group focused on public education and outreach.
Speakers honored the late Governor M. Jodi Rell, an advocate of the law.
Rell oversaw a statewide awareness campaign that included translated outreach materials, signage at hospital entrances, and public service commercials. Her son, Michael Rell, attended the event in her memory.
Rep. Tim Ackert, R-Coventry summed up the law’s legacy in simple terms.
Advertisement
“We always hear about ‘legislation that saves lives’ — this one does,” he said. According to Ackert, at least 59 newborns have been safely surrendered since the law took effect.
“That’s more people than were in the room today,” he said.
For more information about the Safe Havens Act, or for confidential local support and resources, contact the Department of Children and Families Careline at 1-800-842-2288 or dial 2-1-1 for confidential local support and resources.
RELATED
Advertisement
DCF Careline Received An Average Of 178 Reports A Day In 2024
HARTFORD, CT – Last week, the Connecticut Department of Children and Families reported receiving 65,127 reports of child abuse or neglect in 2024, of which 30,318 were accepted as credible and investigated.
Keep reading
byCoral Aponte
Judiciary Committee Hears Testimony On Raising Arrest Age, Changing Handcuff Rules For Children
HARTFORD, CT – For hours, members of the legislative Judiciary Committee heard firsthand testimony about how children – some of them as young as eight years old – are affected by being handcuffed. But in…
Keep reading
Advertisement
byDonald Eng
Doctors Reassure Public That Vaccines Are Safe As Measles Outbreaks Return To US
HARTFORD, CT – Vaccines are safe, effective, and save lives. That was the message nearly a dozen officials and state lawmakers delivered to the public Tuesday morning in Hartford as health officials tracked measles outbreaks…
Keep reading
Connecticut Health Officials Warn Of Potential Measles Outbreaks At Dozens Of Schools
As measles outbreaks spread across the United States, Connecticut health officials are urging residents to double check their vaccination status, while also raising the alarm about the potential for outbreaks at more than two dozen…
Advertisement
Keep reading
Lamont Addresses School Superintendents On Education Funding, Mental Health, Technology
BRISTOL, CT – Gov. Ned Lamont outlined the state’s priorities for education funding, student mental health, and the role of technology in schools – emphasizing the need to limit distractions in classrooms – during the…
Keep reading
byKarla Ciaglo
Advertisement
OCA Report Into Woman’s Long-Time Sexual Abuse Cites DCF, Probate Court Deficiencies
The state Department of Children and Families and the probate courts “missed opportunities” to protect a woman from repeated sexual assaults when she was a minor, the Office of Child Advocate said in a report…
It’s “Trails Day” in Connecticut and beyond, a day to celebrate the outdoors by getting outside.
The American Hiking Society started the annual event and the Connecticut Forest and Parks Association keeps it going here in Connecticut.
They’ll tell you a day outside, is a day well spent.
“I thought, here is a chance to try out a new trail,” said Jeff Dickey–Chasins, of Middletown.
Advertisement
He had been wanting to check out the southern section of Middletown along the Connecticut River, so he took Trails Day as a chance to explore with a group.
The day is dedicated to recreation on the state’s trails.
“Even though there are a few sprinkles we have people ready to go for the hike,” said Gail Hanson, the leader of Dickey-Chasins hike.
She said this is her third year leading hikes, but has been volunteering with the organization for five years. As a former science teacher, for her, it’s a chance to help people appreciate the world they are in.
“I talk to people about the rocks, the birds, the flowers, I point things out, the more you notice, the more fun it could be,” Hanson said.
Advertisement
The CFPA puts on about 200 hikes and events in 110 towns around the state. The idea is to get more people exposed to the outdoors and enjoying what Connecticut has to offer.
They maintain about 825 miles of our states trail system so this is also a chance to check in on trails at the start of the busy hiking season.
“Really what we want to do is make the outdoors accessible and families especially to experience something new,” said Chuck Toal, leader of Trails Day for the CFPA.
He notes there are activities geared toward everyone, of all experience levels.
“Things like paddles and bike trips, history hikes, yoga hikes, birding events, there are urban events, there are farm walks,” Toal said.
Advertisement
He said Connecticut’s trails are stellar and more people should be outside using them. This is a chance to do that and celebrate our great state.
“It’s really become a great celebration of all our outdoors here in the state,” he explained.
Despite a few Saturday showers, those participating in the Middletown hike, say a wet day in the woods is still better than a day spent indoors.
“To be outside, what she was saying earlier, its very relaxing, even if it’s raining its relaxing,” explained Dickey-Chasins.
Some Saturday events did get postponed, and there are still Sunday hikes to attend. The CFPA asks you register for the events if you would like to participate.
Marina Mabrey had a season-high 34 points to lead the Connecticut Sun to their first home win of the season in an 84-76 triumph over the Atlanta Dream.Vera Nieuwenhuis/Associated Press
UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Marina Mabrey scored a season-high 34 points and Tina Charles had seven of her 19 points in the final six minutes to help the Connecticut Sun beat the Atlanta Dream 84-76 on Friday night for their first home victory this season.
Mabrey shot 13 for 22 from the field, including 3 for 8 on 3-pointers, and 5 for 6 at the free-throw line for her fourth career 30-point game. She was two points shy of tying her career-high 36 set on June 15, 2023 against Indiana.
Advertisement
Mabrey scored six points during Connecticut’s 12-2 run to open the third quarter for a 48-37 lead.
Connecticut led 58-45 with 2:40 left in the third before Atlanta went on a 16-4 run to get to 62-61 on Rhyne Howard’s 3-pointer just before the buzzer. But the Dream only had one field goal in the opening five minutes of the fourth to trail 71-64.
The Sun starters finished with 75 points.
Bria Hartley scored 11 points and rookie Saniya Rivers had three steals and two blocks for Connecticut (2-6).
Olivia Nelson-Ododa did not play in the second half due to an ankle injury.
Advertisement
Howard and Brittney Griner led Atlanta (5-3) with 18 points apiece. Naz Hillmon had 14 points and Allisha Gray added 11.
Brionna Jones, who made her first appearance at Mohegan Sun Arena since playing with the Sun for the first eight years of her career, had seven points and six rebounds.
Mabrey sank a floater in the lane with 0.5 seconds left in the first half to give Connecticut a 36-35 lead. Mabrey, averaging 15 points per game, scored 15 in the first half and Charles had 10 points.
Atlanta had its four-game win streak come to an end.
