A baby boy born in a Fort Collins fire station, who was then given up by his mother under Colorado’s Safe Haven Law, was in good condition Saturday at Poudre Valley Hospital.
The infant was born shortly after 8 a.m. Friday after his mother was driven to a fire station by a friend.
The woman told authorities she had planned to give birth at home but was unable to reach her midwife.
After giving birth, the young mother relinquished custody of her baby to firefighters, but she didn’t explain why.
The 6-year-old law allows either a man or woman to turn over an unharmed baby within three days of birth to fire or hospital personnel without risk of prosecution or jail. They also have the right to remain anonymous.
“I can’t imagine what the outcome could have been if this opportunity hadn’t been there,” said Linda Prudhomme , executive director of Colorado Safe Haven for Newborns, a project of the Colorado Nonprofit Development Center.
Paramedics and firefighters helped deliver the baby, who was born in an ambulance because there was better lighting there, said Poudre Fire Authority Capt. Lynn Stauffer.
Although the fire station has assisted pregnant women who sought help while in labor, those woman kept their babies.
“This is the first one we’ve delivered, then took possession of,” Stauffer said.
Colorado Safe Haven for Newborns says its mission is to inform women about the law. The nonprofit was formed after three Denver newborns were found abandoned and dead in 2004.
Thirteen Colorado babies have been saved from harm after their mothers chose to give them up under the Safe Haven Law.
The newborn at Poudre Valley Hospital is being called “Baby John Doe.”
Hospital spokesman Gary Kimsey said people interested in learning about adopting him should contact the adoption line at the Larimer County Department of Human Services at 970-498-6908.
Staff writer Annette Espinoza can be reached at 303-820-1655 or aespinoza@denverpost.com.
