The Starke County Commissioners heard from California Township Trustee Sheri Bartoli during their meeting last week.
Bartoli asked the commissioners to fund a Safe Haven Baby Box for Starke County. She added the nearest baby box is located in Plymouth and she believes having one in Starke County would be a good asset. Bartoli explained a baby box is something where young mothers as a last resort would give up their babies instead of abandoning them. She stated a baby box is usually placed at hospitals or fire stations where an alarm is triggered, notifying 911 once the box has been closed.
The location of the proposed baby box is at the California Township Fire Department. Bartoli explained they are within the responding area for first responders and are also within range of the hospital for accessibility. She stated everything will be certified and tested as the installation is done by Safe Haven Baby Box. She added they will also provide training for California Township first responders.
The total amount needed for the baby box is $18,000. Bartoli said this would cover the initial purchase fee of the box, the installation of it as well as the electrical and the alarm hookups. She added California Township would pay the yearly re-certification fee and the monthly alarm fee.
The commissioners discussed briefly on who would be liable for the baby once they have been placed in the box. County Attorney Justin Schramm stated he would need to look into more information on who is technically liable for the child once they are placed in the baby box.
Commissioner Don Binkley made a motion to the table the approval of the Safe Haven Baby Box upon further review. That motion was seconded and passed unanimously by vote. It is expected the commissioners will discuss their findings at a future meeting.
