Where may a mother leave her newborn without incurring criminal liability?

The correct answer highlights the provisions set forth by Pennsylvania's Safe Haven Law, which allows a mother to leave her newborn at certain designated locations without facing criminal liability. Under this law, hospitals and police stations are specifically designated as safe places where a mother can relinquish her infant within a certain period after birth, ensuring the child's safety and well-being.

Choosing a police station or hospital provides a structure that supports both the mother and the child, allowing for necessary medical care and the opportunity to place the infant in a secure environment. This legal option aims to prevent the tragic outcomes that could arise if a mother feels she has no choice but to abandon her child in a less safe environment.

In contrast, leaving a child at a friend’s house, in a public park, or at a community center does not provide the same assurance of safety and legal protection as designated safe haven locations. These alternatives could lead to legal consequences for the mother as they do not fall under the protective parameters established by the law.