How to surrender unwanted babies in New Jersey

The New Jersey Department of Children and Families said Monday that a healthy newborn was brought to one of the state's Safe Haven sites in May, the first such surrender of 2022.

No infants were given up in 2021. That made last year the first since the state's Safe Haven law was enacted in 2000 that there were no surrenders.

The previous low for a calendar year had been two, in 2007, 2012, 2016 and 2017; 10 babies were safely surrendered in 2006.

Regarding last month's surrender, in its release DCF did not disclose the gender of the infant nor the exact date and location, citing confidentiality statutes.

It is the 79th surrender in the state in the last 22 years.

Where can infants be surrendered in NJ?

Since August 2000, the Safe Haven law has allowed infants up to 30 days old to be anonymously surrendered at a number of destinations in New Jersey that are staffed 24/7. According to DCF, those include hospital emergency rooms, police and fire stations, or ambulance and rescue squads.

Any child given up must be "free of abuse or neglect," DCF said in the release.

What happens to surrendered babies in NJ?

DCF's Division of Child Permanency and Protection works to have any surrendered baby fostered or adopted once they are cleared by a medical professional.

Anyone seeking further information about the Safe Haven law can visit njsafehaven.org or call 1-877-839-2339.

Patrick Lavery is a reporter and anchor for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at patrick.lavery@townsquaremedia.com

Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story.

These are the best hiking spots in New Jersey

A trip to New Jersey doesn't have to be all about the beach. Our state has some incredible trails, waterfalls, and lakes to enjoy.

From the Pine Barrens to the Appalachian Trail to the hidden gems of New Jersey, you have plenty of options for a great hike. Hiking is such a great way to spend time outdoors and enjoy nature, plus it's a great workout.

Before you go out on the trails and explore some of our listeners' suggestions, I have some tips on hiking etiquette from the American Hiking Society.

If you are going downhill and run into an uphill hiker, step to the side and give the uphill hiker space. A hiker going uphill has the right of way unless they stop to catch their breath.

Always stay on the trail, you may see side paths, unless they are marked as an official trail, steer clear of them. By going off-trail you may cause damage to the ecosystems around the trail, the plants, and wildlife that live there.

You also do not want to disturb the wildlife you encounter, just keep your distance from the wildlife and continue hiking.

Bicyclists should yield to hikers and horses. Hikers should also yield to horses, but I’m not sure how many horses you will encounter on the trails in New Jersey.

If you are thinking of bringing your dog on your hike, they should be leashed, and make sure to clean up all pet waste.

Lastly, be mindful of the weather, if the trail is too muddy, it's probably best to save your hike for another day.

I asked our listeners for their suggestions of the best hiking spots in New Jersey, check out their suggestions:

Every NJ city and town's municipal tax bill, ranked

A little less than 30 cents of every $1 in property taxes charged in New Jersey support municipal services provided by cities, towns, townships, boroughs and villages. Statewide, the average municipal-only tax bill in 2021 was $2,725, but that varied widely from more than $13,000 in Tavistock to nothing in three townships. In addition to $9.22 billion in municipal purpose taxes, special taxing districts that in some places provide municipal services such as fire protection, garbage collection or economic development levied $323.8 million in 2021.