On Thursday, the From Hope to Home Gala, organized by Iowans for Adoption, gathered at Reiman Gardens in Ames to raise awareness of Iowa’s Newborn Safe Haven Act. The event, which celebrates adoption and foster‑care resources, took on added urgency following the recent death of an infant discovered at an Acorns and Oaks child‑care center in Perry.
Safe Haven law explained
Iowa’s Safe Haven law permits a parent to surrender an infant up to 90 days old at a 24‑hour hospital, fire station, emergency medical provider, or an approved adoption agency without facing abandonment charges. Since 2023, certain private adoption agencies have also been authorized to accept these infants, offering families a more discreet option.
Community response
“We feel it’s extraordinarily important that people are aware that this law even exists,” said Diana Lang, executive director and founder of Iowans for Adoption. Lang emphasized that broader public knowledge could help prevent future tragedies like the one in Perry, where 20‑year‑old Stephanie Ubaldo was charged with first‑degree murder after an infant was found in a trash container.
Speakers at the gala highlighted how the law provides a compassionate alternative for parents who feel unable to care for a newborn. “If a young lady is too intimidated to go into a hospital or fire department, they can call a private placement adoption and have a little more anonymity and work directly with them,” one presenter explained.
Participating agencies
Several adoption agencies are authorized to receive Safe Haven infants, including:
- Lutheran Family Service – 515‑571‑9964
- New Horizons Adoption Agency – 800‑314‑3370
- Avalon Center – 866‑722‑0070
- American Home Finding Association – (641) 682‑8784
These agencies not only accept infants under the Safe Haven provision but also assist families with adoption expenses, recruitment of foster and adoptive parents, and ongoing support services.
Why the law matters
Lang noted, “We strongly believe that the more people that know about this law, the fewer tragedies there will be.” The gala’s message resonated with attendees, many of whom are parents, grandparents, and community volunteers eager to support safe‑family placements.
While investigators have not confirmed whether Ubaldo was aware of the Safe Haven law, the case underscores the need for continued public education. The event’s organizers hope that increased awareness will encourage more families to consider adoption and provide a safe, legal pathway for infants in crisis.
Looking ahead
The From Hope to Home Gala will continue to promote adoption resources throughout the state, partnering with local churches, schools, and civic groups. By emphasizing the law’s availability and the compassionate options it offers, Iowans for Adoption aims to strengthen families and protect vulnerable newborns across Iowa.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
