Administrative Entities

The county provides safe haven services for people of all ages in Mendocino County. Services include safe havens for abandoned newborns. Under the Safe Haven Law, this county's designated sites accept newborn babies up to 72 hours old from parents or individuals with lawful custody who want to anonymously relinquish their child. After 72 hours individuals are not protected under the law. There are no geographic restrictions.

Designated staff attempt to place a numerically matching ID bracelet on the individual and the baby; individuals have up to 14 days to reclaim their child. Individuals who surrender a newborn in accordance with the Safe Haven Law are immune from criminal liability for child abandonment.