Policy:
The North Carolina Infant Homicide
Prevention Act provides a mechanism for unwanted infants to be taken under
temporary custody by a law enforcement officer, social services worker,
healthcare provider, or EMS personnel if the parent presents an infant within
seven (7) days of birth. Emergency Medical Services will accept and protect
infants who are presented to EMS in this manner, until custody of the child can
be released to the Department of Social Services.
“A
law enforcement officer, a department of social services worker, a health care
provider as defined in G.S. 90-21.11 at a hospital or local district health
department, or an emergency medical technician at a local fire
station shall, without a court order, take into temporary custody an infant
under 7 days of age that is voluntarily delivered to the individual by the
infant’s parent who does not express an intent to return for the infant. An
individual who takes an infant into temporary custody under this sub-section
shall perform any act necessary to protect the physical health and well being of
the infant and shall immediately notify the department of social services. Any
individual who takes 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.”
Purpose:
·
To provide protection to infants placed into the custody of
EMS under this law.
·
To provide protection to EMS systems and personnel when
confronted with this issue.
Procedure:
1.
Initiate the Pediatric Assessment Procedure.
2.
Initiate Newly Born Protocol as appropriate.
3.
Initiate other treatment protocols as appropriate.
4.
Keep infant warm
5.
Call local Department of Social Services as soon as infant is stabilized.
6.
Transport infant to medical facility as per local protocol.
7.
Assure infant is secured in appropriate child restraint device for
transport.