Infant Abandonment

Infant Abandonment<= /span>

Policy:

The North Carolina I= nfant Homicide Prevention Act provides a mechanism for unwanted infants to be tak= en under temporary custody by a law enforcement officer, social services worke= r, healthcare provider, or EMS personnel if= an infant is presented by the parents within 7 days of birth. Emergency Medical Services will ac= cept and protect infants who are presented to EMS in this manner, until custody of the child can be released to the Departmen= t of Social Services.

"The following individuals shall, without a court order, take into temporary custody an infant under 15 days of age tha= t is voluntarily delivered to the individual by the infant's parent who does not express an intent to return for the infant:

(1) A health care provider, as defined&= nbsp; under G.S. 90-21.11, who is on duty or at a hospital or at a local or district health department.

(2) A law enforcement officer who is on duty or at a police station or sheriff's department.

(3) A social services worker who is on duty or at a local department of social services.

(4) An emergency medical technician who is on duty or at a fire station.=

(c) An individual who takes an infant into temp= orary custody under subsection (b) of this section shall perform any act necessar= y to protect the physical health and well-being of the infant and shall immediat= ely notify the department of social services or a local law enforcement agency.= Any individual who takes an infant into temporary custody under subsection (b) = of this section may inquire as to the parents' identities and as to any relevant medical history, but the parent is not required to provide this information= .

(d) Any adult may, without a court order, take = into temporary custody an infant under 15 days of age that is voluntarily delive= red to the individual by the infant's parent who does not express an intent to return for the infant. Any individual who takes an infant into temporary custody under this section shall perform any act necessary to protect the p= hysical health and well-being of the infant and shall immediately notify the depart= ment of social services or a local law enforcement agency. An individual who tak= es an infant into temporary custody under this subsection may inquire as to the parents' identities and as to any relevant medical history, but the parent = is not required to provide this information.

(e) An individual who takes an infant into temp= orary custody under subsection (b) or (d) of this section is immune from any civi= l or criminal liability that might otherwise be incurred or imposed as a result = of any omission or action taken pursuant to the requirements of subsection (b), (c), or (d) of this section so long as that individual was acting in good faith. The immunity established by this subsection does not extend to gross negligence, wanton conduct, or intentional wrongdoing that would otherwise = be actionable."

Purpose:

To provide:

" Protection to= infants that are placed in custody of EMS under = this law

" Protection to= EMS systems and personnel when confronted with this= issue

Procedure:

1. Initiate the Pedi= atric Assessment Procedure

2. Initiate the Newl= y Born Protocol as appropriate.

3. Initiate other tr= eatment protocols as appropriate.

4. Call the local De= part of Social Services - Child Protective Service Division at 324-9111 during regular business hours. After hours c= ontact the Catawba County Communicatio= ns Center at 828-464-3= 112.

5. Transport the inf= ant to a local medical facility if necessary.

6. Assure the infant= is secured in an appropriate child restraint device during transport.

7. Document protocol= s, procedures, and agency notifications.