Two newborns surrendered last month under Iowa safe haven law

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say two babies born to different mothers last month have been surrendered to state custody under Iowa’s safe haven law.

The Iowa Department of Human Services says a newborn boy born May 27 and a girl born May 24 were the state’s 36th and 37th safe haven babies.

Iowa lawmakers changed state law following a 2001 case in which a mother killed her home-delivered newborn in eastern Iowa. Under the law, parents can give the state custody of babies who are 30 days or younger without concern of being prosecuted. Parents or an authorized representative can leave infants at a hospital or other health care facility.

The babies are placed with foster or adoptive families.