BLOOMINGTON – This past week, Monroe Fire Protection District had a baby surrendered in its Safe Haven Baby Box.
Firefighters who were on duty were notified of the surrender by the alarms going off as is intended when a baby is surrendered using the box.
The on-duty crew immediately checked on the baby who had been in the box for possibly less than a minute.
Firefighters provided basic EMS care and comfort to the baby until paramedics arrived on scene and transported the baby to the hospital for further evaluation.
“Less than 4 months ago we blessed and made available the Safe Haven Baby Box at Monroe Fire Protection District in Bloomington,” said Battalion Chief Jason Allen. “And last week, it brought its first blessing.”
This is the fourth Indiana baby to have been placed in a Safe Haven Baby Box this year. This brings the total for 2023 to 6 precious infants and the total number since 2017 to 28.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes has transformed safe surrender for Indiana and beyond by allowing the legal surrender of an infant 100% anonymously. Women in crisis are trusting the organization that removes shame from a complicated decision to lovingly surrender an infant. Indiana leads the nation with 141 Baby Boxes spread throughout the nation.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes is the only organization in the nation dedicated to providing an anonymous surrender option for mothers in crisis. The organization was founded in 2015 by Monica Kelsey who learned in adulthood she was abandoned as an infant. Now her life’s mission is to end infant abandonment and advocate for the Safe Haven Law. In addition to educating citizens on the Safe Haven Law, Safe Haven Baby Boxes provides free confidential counseling via their hotline 1-866-99BABY1.
Monica Kelsey, founder of Safe Haven Baby Boxes explained, “I am so thankful this parent chose a safe option for their child. We may never know the reason they used this baby box, but we do know how much they loved their infant.” Kelsey is on a mission to end infant abandonment and her efforts are proving to be successful in her home state of Indiana and beyond.
“The Safe Haven Baby Box funding was provided by the Monroe Fire Protection District Volunteers Inc.
added Battalion Chief Allen. “Without their generous donation, this baby box would not have been possible. We are thankful that our department can provide this safe option to people during their time of need.”
Since 2017, 28 infants have been placed in a Baby Box. Nationwide, 132 surrenders have resulted from calling the National Safe Haven Baby Box hotline.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes are currently available in Indiana, Ohio, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. Once an infant is surrendered it will be quickly adopted by a family selected by the Department of Child Services.
