menu Submit a Crime Tip (or call 870-658-7024) Mississippi County Sheriff's Office Arkansas Information & Alerts Laura's Law Safe Haven Law Arkansas Safe Haven FAQs ARKANSAS LAW Infant's Age Ann. Code § 9-34-202 A child who is 30 days old or younger may be relinquished. Who May Relinquish the Infant Ann. Code §§ 9-34-202; 5-27-205(c) A child may be relinquished by his or her parent or a person designated by the parent. Who May Receive the Infant Ann. Code § 9-34-202 The child may be left with any medical provider or law enforcement agency. Responsibilities of the Safe Haven Provider Ann. Code §§ 9-34-202; 9-34-203 Any medical provider or law enforcement agency shall, without a court order, take possession of a child who is 30 days old or younger if the child is left with or voluntarily delivered to the medical provider or law enforcement agency by the child's parent who does not express an intent to return for the child. A medical provider or law enforcement agency that takes possession of a child shall perform any act necessary to protect the physical health and safety of the child. Upon delivery of the child, the law enforcement officer or an appropriate hospital employee shall take the child into protective custody for 72 hours and immediately notify the Division of Children and Family Services of the Department of Human Services. Immunity for the Provider Ann. Code § 9-34-202 A medical provider or law enforcement agency shall incur no civil or criminal liability for any good faith acts or omissions performed pursuant to this section. Protection for Relinquishing Parent Ann. Code § 5-27-205(c) The fact that a parent voluntarily delivered a child to and left the child with, or voluntarily arranged for another person to deliver a child to and leave the child with, a medical provider or law enforcement agency serves as an affirmative defense to a prosecution for endangering the child. This section specifically does not constitute a defense to any prosecution arising from an act of abuse or neglect committed prior to the delivery of a child to a medical provider or law enforcement agency. Effect on Parental Rights Ann. Code § 9-34-203 The department will initiate a dependency action [to place the child in a permanent home]. Mississippi County Sheriff's Office Emergency 911 Address: 685 North County Road 599 Luxora, Arkansas 72358 24-hour Phones: 870-658-2242 or 870-762-2243 Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:00pm Mississippi County Sheriff's Office • © 2016 - 2021 Mississippi County, Arkansas Site Map • Accessibility Alerts Contact Translate