Baby surrendered in Woodburn, Indiana to historic Safe Haven Baby Box

In Woodburn, Indiana, a significant event occurred when a baby was surrendered to the first Safe Haven Baby Box ever installed in the United States. This baby box, which was built in 2016, is part of a larger initiative that has seen 260 such boxes installed across the country. The founder of Safe Haven Baby Box, Monica Kelsey, expressed pride in the community for providing a safe and anonymous option for mothers in crisis, emphasizing the love the mother has for her child. The surrender marks a milestone as it is the first instance of a baby being placed in the Woodburn Fire Department's baby box since its installation eight years ago. Fire Chief Joshua Hale shared feelings of excitement and pride, highlighting the importance of the mission behind the Safe Haven Baby Boxes. These boxes are designed to be temperature-controlled incubators, allowing at-risk mothers to safely leave their newborns in a secure environment. Once a baby is placed inside, the door locks, giving the mother time to leave before an alarm alerts first responders. The baby is then promptly taken to a hospital for a wellness check and is typically placed into state custody for adoption. Kelsey noted that the system worked flawlessly, with the fire department quickly responding and ensuring the baby was in safe hands within minutes. This event underscores the effectiveness of the Safe Haven Baby Box initiative, which aims to provide a compassionate solution for mothers facing difficult circumstances, ensuring the safety and well-being of newborns in need.