INDIANAPOLIS — A newborn infant was safely surrendered in a Safe Haven Baby Box last week at Fire Station No. 74 in Decatur Township.
The baby was the fifth to be surrendered in a Safe Haven Baby Box this year and the ninth since November 2017.
“I am so thankful that the parent/parents of this newborn ensured the safety of this child and surrendered the infant safely and legally in a Safe Haven Baby Box under Indiana's Safe Haven Law," Safe Haven Baby Box founder and CEO Monica Kelsey said in a news release. "These parents are heroes as the safety of this child was the most important thing to these parents. Your determination to keep your child safe shines on through the face of this newborn.”
The box at the fire station in Decatur Township was the third installed in the United States, according to the organization.
Baby boxes are safe incubators that have alarm systems, so 911 is notified as soon as a baby is placed inside. The baby boxes also have heating and cooling features.
Indiana's Safe Haven law allows a parent to bring a child who is 30 days old or younger to an employee at a hospital emergency room, manned fire station or law enforcement agency without facing prosecution for endangering or abandoning a child.
The Safe Haven Baby Box organization also staffs a 24-hour hotline (1-866-99BABY1), so parents can talk to trained professionals about possibly surrendering their baby. You can also visit the Safe Haven Baby Box website for more information including locations.
LIST | Find a Safe Haven Baby Box
