Verde Valley Medical Center and its off-site outpatient treatment centers are designated as Safe Havens for newborn babies whose parents are unable to care for them. The Safe Haven drop-off areas are located in the VVMC Cottonwood and Sedona Campus Emergency departments, and all entrances where Safe Haven signs are posted.

Arizona law allows parents (or an agent of the parents) to give up their newborn baby anonymously and without prosecution, and to voluntarily leave their baby with a Safe Haven provider, such as VVMC, under the following conditions:

• The baby is 72 hours (three days) or younger
• The baby has not been physically harmed
• The parent or agent does not plan to return for the baby at a later time

The baby must be handed to a hospital employee who will make no effort to identify the parent or agent, will not notify the police and will not require the parent or agent to answer any questions. Parents or agents will be encouraged to take a Safe Haven Packet to review and complete a voluntary brief medical history about the newborn to ensure the best possible care be provided to the infant.