“We hope it never gets used, but we’re thankful we have it.”
That was said by supporters and officials behind the state’s 137th Safe Haven Baby Box located at the EMS base at 1102 S. Main Street in Knox. The blessing of the Safe Haven Baby Box was conducted by Brad Nelson during a ceremony Wednesday, September 11 at the Knox EMS Base.
The location offers a secure and compassionate option for parents in crisis and to help ensure every infant has a chance for a safe and loving future.
A Safe Haven Baby Box legally permits a mother in crisis to safely, securely, and anonymously surrender a newborn if she is unable to care for the child. The mother can utilize the Safe Haven Baby Box at the Knox EMS Base by opening a door on an exterior wall. It automatically locks upon placement of a newborn inside the Baby Box. An interior door allows a medical staff member to tend to the child upon an alarm notification two minutes after the surrender.
There are now 264 Safe Haven Baby Box locations across the country.
Monica Kelsey, the founder of Safe Haven Baby Box, was in attendance and spoke during Wednesday’s ceremony where she stated that 205 babies have been surrendered in the Baby Box program. The first box was installed in her community of Woodburn, Indiana in 2016. She stated every child is worth fighting for.
Among the speakers during Wednesday’s blessing include Matt and Becky Bailey, donors of the Baby Box, and California Township Trustee Sheri Bartoli who partnered with Becky Bailey to move this effort toward approval by the Starke County Commissioners. Bartoli said this project has been in the making for five years and now it is a reality. Becky Bailey said Knox and Starke County are now sanctuary areas with the Safe Haven Baby Box, Bella Vita, the pregnancy center and maternity home and the city could be deemed a sanctuary city for the unborn if a declaration is presented and approved.
State Senator Ed Charbonneau also provided welcoming words during the ceremony September 11.
Each year the numbers increase with more baby boxes available across the country. Surrendered infants are adopted by families who have registered as foster to adopt. A local Department of Family Services coordinates the adoption process.
