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1 Contact information Executive Director Alan Elliott Day: Eve: Cell: Fax: Media Contact Ed Spencer Office: Cell: Residence:

2 Baby Moses Dallas PO Box 1169, Cedar Hill, TX Day: , , Fax Baby Moses (Baby Safe Haven) Law The Texas Baby Moses or Safe Haven law provides a responsible alternative to mothers who might otherwise abandon, neglect or harm a newborn child. It states that a parent may leave an unharmed infant, up to 60 days old, at any hospital or fire station with no questions asked. Under Texas State Law , Texas fire stations and hospitals are designated emergency infant care providers for these abandoned babies. In addition, Texas State Law says, Each designated emergency infant care provider shall post in a conspicuous location a notice stating that the provider is a designated emergency infant care provider location and will accept possession of a child. The Baby Moses Dallas organization was established to provide this free signage as well as educational materials to all safe haven sites in Dallas County. Our goal is to save babies. To accomplish this goal we (1) educate the public about the Baby Moses/Safe Haven law so that mothers can make a responsible decision that will be a chance for the baby and a choice for the mother and (2) provide signage to all safe haven sites in Dallas County. Please contact us if you need more information. Alan Elliott Ed Spencer Executive Director Media Director Cell: Cell:

3 Save This Baby Of the over 100 babies that are abandoned each year in Texas, about 16 will be found dead. An unknown number of murdered babies are never found. There is a solution. A Texas law provides a responsible alternative to mothers who might otherwise abandon, harm or murder a newborn child. It states that a parent may leave an unharmed infant, up to 60 days old, at any hospital or fire station with no questions asked. This law is nicknamed "The Baby Moses Law" from the ancient story of the baby Moses who was abandoned, but was saved and grew to become an important person. Since the legislature provided no funds to publicize this law, privately funded non-profit groups in every metropolitan area in Texas have instituted public awareness campaigns. In Dallas County this group is called Baby Moses Dallas. The two major goals of the Dallas County campaign are to provide state mandated signs to all designated Safe Haven sites in Dallas County (hospitals and fire stations) and to make the public aware of the law. Your tax deductible donation can help save a child. For more information, or to make a contribution, please contact: Baby Moses Dallas Attn: Alan Elliott, Executive Director PO Box 1169 Cedar Hill, TX alan@babymosesdallas.org babymosesdallas.org 3

4 Baby Moses Dallas March 2006 Organizational Structure: Baby Moses Dallas is a 501(c)3 corporation. The members of Baby Moses Dallas are all volunteers. The Board of Directors includes: Executive Director, Alan Elliott, M.B.A.- Alan also is a faculty member at the UT Southwestern Medical School and serves as Vice-President of CrossWise Productions. Leon McWhorter-- Leon is a producer at ABC/Radio Disney, President of CrossWise Productions, and has been involved in Dallas Media for over 20 years Vivian Skinner - Civic volunteer; President, Tyler Street Christian Academy Board; numerous other civic organizations. Ed Spencer --Thirty years of combined experience working with the Dallas media in the press relations offices of the Dallas Police and Dallas Sheriff's Departments. Other team members include community leaders in education, business, government and media. History: A Texas law passed in 1999 provides a responsible alternative to mothers who might otherwise abandon, neglect or harm a newborn child. It states that a parent may leave an unharmed infant, up to 60 days old, at any hospital or fire station with no questions asked. However, the legislature provided no funds to publicize this law. Mission Statement: Baby Moses Dallas was formed to initiate a public awareness campaign in Dallas County to publicize the Baby Moses law and to help save infants who would otherwise be abandoned and possibly murdered. 4

5 Baby Moses Description Goals Statement: With the help of the bill s author, Texas State Representative Geanie Morrison of Victoria, Baby Moses Dallas has been formed to initiate a public awareness campaign in Dallas. Specifically, Baby Moses Dallas plans to: 1. Place Safe Baby signs at every designated site in Dallas County. (Fire stations and hospitals, as designated by law.) As of January 2007, signs have been placed at all Dallas county Fire Stations. 2. Educate personnel in safe sites about how to receive an abandoned baby and provide them with information and basic baby supplies. Presentations have been made at a number of fire stations and hospitals. 3. Inform the public, particularly young women, about the law through educational material in schools. 4. Print posters (in English and Spanish) for Safe Baby Sites to inform personnel there how to handle an abandoned baby 5. Print posters and brochures (in English and Spanish) aimed at young women for distribution to schools, libraries, recreation centers, clinics and other public places informing them of the law and helping them locate Safe Baby Sites. These brochures are now available and are being distributed. 6. Create and distribute Public Service Announcements (PSAs) to local radio and television stations (in English and Spanish). The PSA has been completed and is now being shown on Dallas area television stations. We are look at additional ways to get it shown in other public forums. 7. Publicize the Baby Moses Law in other forums, such as at community events, schools, churches and other forums 8. Search for other ways to inform the target population about the law Needs Statement: Baby Moses Dallas is funded by donations. We are in the process of applying for grants that will enable us to meet the goals listed above.

6 Information about the Texas Baby Moses When an infant is delivered to this SAFE BABY SITE Receive an unharmed infant that appears to be under 60 days old. Any parent may voluntarily deliver a child 60 days old or younger to a designated emergency infant care provider when the parent does not express intent to return for the child. The law protects parents from criminal prosecution when they deliver an unharmed child. Medically stabilize the infant if needed. Transport to a hospital if needed. Use prudent judgment to protect the physical health and safety of the child until a Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) worker takes possession of the child. Offer the parent medical treatment and voluntary medical disclosure form. You may not detain or pursue the parent unless the child appears to have been abused or neglected. Contact Child Protective Services as quickly as possible or The Texas DFPS Hotline Number is

7 The Standardized Texas Baby Moses/Safe Baby Site Sign for use at Fire Stations and Hospitals 7

8 Dallas Information Card (front and back) DON T THROW AWAY YOUR BABY! BRING YOUR BABY TO A PLACE SHOWING THIS SIGN. NO ABANDONES A TU BEBÉ! TRAE A TU BEBÉ A UN LUGAR CON ESTE LETRERO. If you re thinking of abandoning your newborn don t do it. Don t risk criminal charges and jail time. Bring your baby to any Safe Baby Site in Texas any designated hospital or fire station. TEXAS LAW PROTECTS YOU but only if you hand over the baby at a designated SAFE BABY SITE. For more information It s a choice for you and a chance for your baby. If you cannot care for your baby, please consider confidential placement through an adoption agency. If not, please take advantage of the protections of this law. Si estás pensando en abandonar a tu bebé recién nacido no lo hagas. No te arriesgues a recibir cargos criminales y detención en la cárcel. Trae a tu bebé a cualquier Sitio Seguro Para Bebés en Texas cualquier hospital o estación de bomberos. LA LEY DE TEXAS TE PROTEGE pero sólo si entregas al bebé en un SITIO SEGURO PARA BEBÉS designado. Para más información Es una opción para ti y una oportunidad para tu bebé. Si no puedes cuidara a tu bebé, por favor considera entregarlo a una agencia de adopción. Si no, aprovéchate de este ley. 8

9 From the Parkland Newsletter, June

10 The Dallas Morning News, Saturday, July 8, Continued...

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12 Thursday, July 14,

13 Cedar Hill Today, continued. 13