Yuma honors Baby Sonny one year later

The Yuma community is marking one year since the death of Baby Sonny, a tragedy that shocked residents across the county.

Baby Sonny was found on May 1st outside a Best Western, a discovery that left many in the community heartbroken and drew attention across Arizona.

One year later, city leaders are using this moment to remind residents about Arizona’s Safe Haven law. The law allows parents to safely and anonymously surrender a newborn, up to 30 days old, at designated locations like fire stations and hospitals without fear of prosecution.

Francisco Leon, Public Information Officer for the Yuma Fire Department, says the goal is to make sure people know help is available.

He says the message is simple: there are safe options, and no one should feel like they have to make a decision that could lead to tragedy.

As part of that effort, Safe Haven locations in Yuma are now marked with a special logo featuring Baby Sonny’s footprints as a way to honor his memory.

Residents say the tragedy is still fresh in their minds. One resident, Torri Hart, says she remembers when it happened and was devastated by the news.

She says she’s grateful Arizona has the Safe Haven law, so people have another option and situations like this can be prevented.

Here is a list of designated Safe Haven sites available throughout the Yuma community:

Hospitals

• Onvida Health – 2400 S Avenue A, Yuma, AZ 85364

• Exceptional Community Hospital - 2648 Araby Rd, Yuma, AZ 85367 

Fire Stations (staffed 24/7)

• Yuma Fire Station 7 - 3293 S Avenue 8 ½ E, Yuma, AZ 85365

• San Luis Station #1 - 1165 N. McCain Avenue, San Luis AZ, 85366

• Somerton Public Safety Facility (fire & police departments) - 445 E Main Street, Somerton, AZ 85350

• Martinez Lake Fire District - 10845 Martinez Lake Rd, Martinez Lake, AZ 85365

• Yuma Fire Station 1- 353 S 3^rd Ave, Yuma, AZ 85364

• Yuma Fire Station 2 - 3284 S. Avenue A, Yuma, AZ 85365

• Yuma Fire Station 3 - 508 E 25^th St, Yuma, AZ 85365

• Yuma Fire Station 4 - 2850 W 16^th St, Yuma, AZ 85364

• Yuma Fire Station 5 - 6490 E 26^th St, Yuma AZ 85365

• Yuma Fire Station 6 - 3151 Pinto Way, Yuma, AZ 85364