Life sometimes brings unexpected moments that change the course of our lives. That was true for Suzanne Hobbs, who was
working as an investigative reporter at a transformative time in her life.
Suzanne and her then-husband of seven years were on their own journey to become parents. Doctors had said pregnancy was not an option for parenthood. They didn’t know yet that adoption—and an extraordinary series of events—would soon change their lives.
In October 2001, Suzanne was working as an investigative reporter in Idaho when she covered the heartbreaking story of a baby who had been abandoned in a dumpster and did not survive. The baby’s mother was an 18-year-old who had hidden her pregnancy from her family. It was through covering this story that Suzanne faced a harsh reality—and found a new mission.
“Who would feel so desperate to throw a baby away? I did not want to cover this type of sad story anymore, so I took action,” said Suzanne.
As she investigated the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, 
Suzanne interviewed the teen aged girl’s father. He told her he believed other states had laws allowing a parent to safely surrender a newborn.
Soon after that interview, Suzanne contacted State Senator Bart Davis and urged him to pursue Safe Haven legislation in Idaho. When the law was signed by the governor, Suzanne was given one of the pens used during the signing—a lasting symbol of the mission that had begun with one heartbreaking news story.
Safe Haven laws give parents in crisis a safe, legal option to relinquish an unharmed newborn to an approved Safe Haven provider. “There is no judgment. The goal is to provide resources and options to a parent in crisis and, whenever possible, help keep mothers and babies together,” said Suzanne.
The law is in all 50 states but has different requirements for when and where an infant may be legally surrendered. In Idaho, the age limit is 30 days.
Suzanne and her then-husband were delighted to welcome a two-day-old baby girl, herself safely surrendered under the Safe Haven law, less than two years after Suzanne covered the dumpster tragedy.
“It was the best phone call of my life. We were chosen to be parents of an abandoned baby. I walked into the room where she was, I saw my baby and just froze. I let my husband hold her 
first,” said Suzanne.
The story of how their daughter received her name began before Suzanne’s grandmother passed away. As Suzanne and her sister, Sherri, sat beside their grandmother while she was in a coma, both sisters longed to have a baby. Suzanne asked their grandmother to send them both babies from heaven when she got there.
Only six weeks later, Suzanne received the call about their baby girl and Sherri received the news that she was pregnant on the same day. Suzanne named her daughter Lillie, in honor of her beloved grandmother Lillian.
Suzanne’s career has taken her from television news and advertising to children’s books and even the big screen.
“I have had varied and interesting careers that include being an investigative TV news reporter and news anchor in Idaho for 14 years. I have appeared in national TV commercials for face masks during COVID, KitchenAid mixers and AARP, and most recently had a small role as a news reporter in the movie Superman, which was in theaters in the summer of 2025. I have also written and produced many commercials,” said Suzanne.
Ten years ago, Suzanne published her first children’s book, The 
Hungry Snake, which became an Amazon bestseller. Proceeds from her books help support her efforts to promote awareness of Safe Haven laws.
Today, Suzanne serves as Director of Media Relations for the National Safe Haven Alliance, advocating nationally for Safe Haven awareness, particularly when cases of infant abandonment occur. It is a mission she has championed for 25 years.
The Global Sisterhood, a nonprofit founded by Dr. Shellie Hipsky, has welcomed Suzanne with open arms. “Sisterhood is such a beautiful thing. I love the women in Inspiring Lives; I can learn from each of them. I love the whole effort of the Global Sisterhood,” said Suzanne.
Dr. Shellie Hipsky praised Suzanne’s continued impact. “Suzanne Hobbs has done remarkable work that has effectively saved children’s lives across the country through the Safe Haven Laws. She was one of the original Global Sisters and I am so delighted that she continues to do the great work—supporting and writing for children.”
Dr. Shellie Hipsky named Suzanne one of the 100 Most Inspiring Women in the World in 2015.
Lillie is now 23 years old, and for Suzanne, motherhood has been the most meaningful part of her journey. “She helped me become a mom. It’s been my greatest joy,” said Suzanne.
Through a DNA test, Suzanne and Lillie met Lillie’s birth mother and half-sister in 2019. Amazingly, they were all living in Las Vegas at the time. Lillie is grateful for the opportunity to get to know her. She said, “It really helped my heart when I met Lana,
my biological mother. She is a very special woman.”
Lillie’s message of encouragement to others whose lives have been saved through the Safe Haven law is equally heartfelt. “I really appreciate what happened when I was born. If any other Safe Haven child hears this, just know you are special in your own way, just like I am.”
Suzanne’s advice to everyone who wants to know how to help parents and babies in crisis is clear: “Know about the law. Share the law. You never know who is struggling.”
For Suzanne, that message is as important today as it was when one tragic news story changed the direction of her life 25 years ago. Her mission remains simple: make sure parents know there is a safe option and help prevent another baby from being abandoned.
Suzanne is also preparing for the release of her second children’s book, The Sleepy Snake: A Perfect Bedtime Story, coming October 1, 2026. Like her first book, it is another chapter in a life that has woven together storytelling, motherhood and advocacy.
To learn more about Suzanne Hobbs and her work, visit suzannehobbs.com
