Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen this week praised the safe surrender of an infant in northwest Nebraska, saying the incident shows the state’s expanded safe haven law is working as intended to protect vulnerable children and support parents in crisis.

“We’ve got to do everything we can to protect babies, and we have to step up to help moms in need,” Pillen, a Republican, said in a Nov. 13 statement. “It’s not just that Nebraskans are pro-life, we’re pro-baby — which means being here to help babies and moms who are in tough situations.”

The 2024 law, signed by Pillen, extended the safe haven age limit from 30 to 90 days and allows infants to be relinquished to staff at any state-licensed hospital, staffed fire station, law enforcement agency, or emergency care provider. Those who surrender an infant are protected from prosecution for the act of surrender itself.

This case is the second known safe surrender since the law was expanded. The first baby surrendered under the expanded law was a healthy infant relinquished at a safe haven location in northeastern Nebraska on April 2, 2025. The child is now in the care of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), according to the the department report at the time. 

State officials did not release additional details about the latest case, citing privacy protections.

Nebraska officials say the most recent case demonstrates that the expanded law is functioning as intended, offering a secure option for infants and a non-punitive path for caregivers in crisis.

State agencies continue outreach efforts to increase public awareness of the safe haven law. According to the governor’s office, those efforts include working with hospitals, first responders, and community organizations to ensure Nebraskans understand where and how a safe surrender can occur.

To speak to someone about a safe surrender, call or text the National Safe Haven Alliance crisis line at 1-888-510-BABY (2229).