A newborn boy surrendered under Iowa’s safe haven law earlier this month is now in the custody of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, the agency announced Tuesday.

The infant, born Sept. 8, will be placed with a foster family while officials work to determine a permanent home. He is the 78th baby to be safely relinquished since the law took effect more than two decades ago, and the fourth infant surrendered this year.

The law provides a safe and anonymous option for parents in crisis who feel unable to care for a newborn to relinquish an infant up to 90 days old at a designated location, such as a hospital, police or fire station, or through 911 with a first responder, without fear of prosecution for child abandonment.

Health and Human Services then places the child in a l

See Full Page