DES MOINES, Iowa — A woman has been arrested in Missouri in connection to the death of a newborn baby in Iowa City three decades ago. Iowa’s Department of Health and Human Services is reminding families of legal alternatives in surrendering custody of newborn infants.
The Safe Haven Act in Iowa allows parents to anonymously give up custody of a baby up to 90 days old without facing charges of child abandonment. The state then places the child with a loving family.
Iowa Health & Human Services said 24-hour fire stations and medical centers, like hospitals, are prepared to handle the safe drop-off of newborns. Any information provided is kept confidential, and biological parents are not required to attend court hearings unless the other parent proves their identity and seeks custody…