Calaveras Fire Station Becomes Baby Safe Surrender Site

Mountain Ranch, CA — The Central Calaveras Fire District´s fire station 1 is now a baby safe surrender site.

Fire Chief Bob Gill says the station received the designation December 21.

Under the law, parents or a person designated by the parent can safely surrender a newborn within three days of its birth to a baby safe surrender site without fear of prosecution for child abandonment.

The idea is to give an alternative to parents who might otherwise abandon their baby in an unsafe place.

According to the California Department of Social Services, as of October, 162 babies have been safely surrendered in California.

All that is required is that the baby be given to an on-duty employee of a hospital or safe haven site.

Central Calaveras Fire Station 1 is located at 19927 Jesus Maria Road near Mountain Ranch. It is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365-days a year.

Written by Vanessa Turner.