Greenville County, September 20, 2025
News Summary
A newborn baby girl was safely surrendered at Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital under South Carolina’s Safe Haven Act. This marks the fifth voluntary surrender in the year, with a total of 74 since the law’s inception in 2001. The baby, reported to be stable, is currently in a licensed foster home while legal proceedings for her custody are set for October.
Greenville County – A newborn baby girl was safely surrendered at Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital on September 16, 2025, marking the fifth baby voluntarily surrendered this year under South Carolina’s Safe Haven Act. The baby, born on September 3, 2025, weighed 4 pounds, 9.4 ounces and measured 17.3 inches in length. As of September 19, 2025, she is reported to be stable and safe, currently placed in a licensed foster home.
The surrender was reported by the South Carolina Department of Social Services, which oversees cases related to the Safe Haven program. This law, known as Daniel’s Law, was enacted in 2001 to prevent the abandonment of infants and permits mothers to relinquish their babies anonymously at designated safe havens, including hospitals, police stations, and fire departments, within 60 days of birth.
To date, a total of 74 babies have been relinquished under this law since its inception, with five of those occurrences happening in 2024. Following the recent baby girl’s surrender, a Permanency Planning Hearing or Termination of Parental Rights hearing is scheduled for October 28, 2025, at 9:30 AM at the Greenville County Family Court, located at 350 Halton Road. Those who believe they have parental rights to the baby are urged to attend the hearing and present their claims.
The South Carolina Department of Social Services currently holds legal custody of the surrendered baby. Under Daniel’s Law, individuals surrendering a child may do so without revealing their identity and are provided legal immunity from prosecution for abandonment, unless there is evidence that the baby has been harmed.
Understanding Daniel’s Law
Daniel’s Law was designed to address the critical issue of infant abandonment in South Carolina. It offers a safe alternative to parents in crisis, allowing them to relinquish their newborns in a secure environment while ensuring the child receives immediate medical attention. The law reflects the state’s commitment to the welfare of vulnerable infants and provides legal safeguards for parents making the difficult choice to surrender their infants.
Current Status of Surrendered Babies
The serious implications surrounding infant surrender highlight the importance of this option for parents in distress. Surrendered infants are placed into care and are given the opportunity to find loving foster homes while the legal processes regarding their custody and potential adoption are undertaken by the Department of Social Services.
Future Proceedings
The upcoming hearing on October 28 will determine the future legal and custodial arrangements for the recently surrendered newborn. This hearing serves as a vital step in ensuring the baby girl’s long-term stability and care. Parents or guardians who may have claims to her custody will have the opportunity to present their cases at this hearing.
Conclusion
The South Carolina Safe Haven Act continues to provide a crucial service, allowing parents in crisis a compassionate and legal route for the safe surrender of their newborns. The state’s ongoing support for this program is a testament to its commitment to child welfare.
FAQ
What is the South Carolina Safe Haven Act?
The Safe Haven Act, also known as Daniel’s Law, allows safe and legal surrender of infants up to 60 days old at designated safe havens like hospitals, police stations, and fire departments.
How many babies have been surrendered under this law?
To date, a total of 74 babies have been relinquished under Daniel’s Law, with five of those in 2024.
Where was the most recent baby surrendered?
The most recent baby was surrendered at Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital in Greenville County.
What happens after a baby is surrendered under this law?
The Department of Social Services currently has legal custody of the surrendered baby and a Permanency Planning Hearing or Termination of Parental Rights hearing is scheduled for October 28, 2025.
Can the person surrendering the baby be prosecuted?
No, under Daniel’s Law, the person surrendering the baby does not need to disclose their identity and cannot be prosecuted for abandonment if the baby is taken to a safe haven, unless the baby has been harmed.
Key Features of South Carolina’s Safe Haven Act
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Established | 2001 |
| Age Limit for Surrender | Up to 60 days old |
| Designated Safe Havens | Hospitals, police stations, fire departments |
| Total Babies Surrendered (as of 2025) | 74 |
| Current Legal Custody | Department of Social Services |
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Additional Resources
- WLTX: Newborn surrendered in Greenville County
- Wikipedia: Safe Haven law
- Post and Courier: Newborn girl surrendered under South Carolina’s Safe Haven Act
- Google Search: South Carolina Safe Haven Act
- The State: Baby girl safely surrendered in Greenville County
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Safe Haven law
- WYFF4: Understanding the Safe Haven Act in South Carolina
- Google News: South Carolina Safe Haven Act
Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
The HERE Greenville Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenville community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenville Our team includes lifelong Greenville residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sales in the Heritage Historic District 17 , Greenville’s textile and railroad heritage 2 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Greenville Technical College programs) 27 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
