Artesia General Hospital is now home to New Mexico’s newest Safe Haven Baby Box. The box is located on the East side of the Hospital by the surgery entrance. This medical-grade, life-saving resource provides a 100% anonymous, legal, and compassionate option for parents in crisis, ensuring every infant in the Pecos Valley has a path to a safe and healthy future.
What is the New Mexico Safe Haven for Infants Act?
The New Mexico Safe Haven for Infants Act (NMSA 1978, § 24-22-1) provides a compassionate legal framework to prevent infant abandonment and protect newborn lives. This law allows a parent to safely surrender an unharmed infant, up to 90 days old, to a designated safe haven site—such as a 24/7 staffed hospital, fire station, or police station—without fear of criminal prosecution for abandonment or neglect.
Modern safety devices like the Safe Haven Baby Box at Artesia General Hospital extend these legal protections by offering a specialized, climate-controlled environment for 100% anonymous surrender. The Act strictly guarantees the parent’s right to remain anonymous, and staff members must allow the parent to leave the site at any time without pursuit or identification. By prioritizing the immediate safety and medical care of the infant, the law ensures that children transition into the protective custody of the Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD) for placement in loving, permanent homes.
Key Notes:
- The 90-Day Window: You may surrender an infant who is 90 days old or younger.
- Total Anonymity: You possess the legal right to remain anonymous. We do not use cameras to monitor the surrender process, and we do not require you to provide any personal or medical information.
- Legal Immunity: Provided the infant is unharmed, the parent avoids all criminal charges for abandonment or neglect when they utilize a designated Safe Haven site or Baby Box.
How the Baby Box Works
The Safe Haven Baby Box Artesia serves as a specialized incubator built into the exterior wall of the hospital. This resource is designed to ensure maximum privacy for parents and a rapid medical response for infants.
- Access: The parent opens the exterior door and places the infant in the climate-controlled bassinet.
- Locking: Once the parent closes the door, it locks automatically. Then, the hatch prevents reopening from the outside, which secures the infant until our medical team arrives.
- Notification: A alarm immediately alerts our medical team inside the hospital.
- Rescue: Staff retrieve the infant from the interior door very quickly for an immediate medical evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Baby Box in Artesia
1. Is surrendering a baby in a baby box legal in New Mexico?
Yes. State law protects parents who surrender an unharmed infant (up to 90 days old) at a designated site, including these specialized boxes.
2. Is the process truly anonymous?
Yes. There are no cameras facing the Safe Haven Baby Box Artesia. You can safely walk away knowing your privacy is protected.
3. Does it cost anything to use?
No. There is no cost to the parent. The hospital provides all initial medical care for the infant.
4. How quickly will the baby be rescued?
Our dual-alarm system notifies the medical team instantly. A staff member will typically reach the infant in under two minutes.
5. What happens to the baby after they are rescued?
Following a medical exam at Artesia General Hospital, the infant is placed into the custody of the New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD) to be placed with a pre-adoptive family.
6. Can a father surrender the baby?
Yes. New Mexico law allows either parent—or an agent of the parent—to surrender the infant at a Baby Box site
7. What if I change my mind?
If a parent seeks reunification, they must contact CYFD within 90 days. A DNA test is usually required to establish parentage for legal proceedings.
8. Why use a baby box instead of surrendering to a person?
The Safe Haven Baby Box serves parents in extreme crisis who feel too overwhelmed for face-to-face interaction. It ensures the parent leaves the infant in a safe, medical-grade environment rather than an unsafe location.
9. What if the baby is older than 90 days?
If an infant is over the age limit, the Safe Haven law may not apply. Please visit our Emergency Department immediately so our social workers can help you find safe options.
10. Are there other Baby Boxes in New Mexico?
Yes. New Mexico is a leader in infant safety. Active baby boxes are currently located in Artesia, Carlsbad, Roswell, Hobbs, Belen, Española, and Alamogordo.
Crisis Support & Official Contacts
If you are struggling or feel overwhelmed, please know that help is available 24/7. You do not have to make this journey alone.
- National Safe Haven Alliance Crisis Line: Call or text 1-888-510-BABY (1-888-510-2229).
- Artesia General Hospital Emergency Dept: Open 24/7 for confidential support and medical care.
- CYFD Statewide Central Intake: 1-855-333-7233.
Our thanks to all who made this Baby Box installation possible. Together, we are building a safer New Mexico for our smallest citizens.
Notice: We provide the information on this page for informational and educational purposes only. You should not rely on this content as legal advice. While we strive to provide accurate details regarding the New Mexico Safe Haven for Infants Act, laws may change or require specific interpretation. For questions regarding your legal rights and obligations, please consult a qualified attorney or contact the New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD) directly.