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Three newborns safely surrendered in 5 weeks at Indiana fire station's baby box

Three newborns safely surrendered in 5 weeks at Indiana fire station's baby box
so many times when we look at situations like what we need to address in the health concerns of the community. Infant mortality maternal issues really come up. Several months ago, we became aware of a baby that was abandoned and luckily found in time in the region. But it brought about a local conversation with people in the community on with a team that Margaret Mary and what we need to do about it. What can we do way clearly know that we have a role in this in the community was very good at looking to Margaret Mary of how we help that. So that's when we found out what was going on with safe Haven baby box, and it really came together, much as we do as a community as a hospital to lead in this effort. And I think we're very proud of being able to do this. We're proud of partnering with people at getting support from the Hillenbrand Foundation. To be able to find it means a lot, so this is really one of those continual community efforts to be able to make this a better place to live, to care for all those that need it with the box being now in Batesville, Indiana, and the, you know, the local fire department being trained as as first responders to be able to take a child if a mother hands the child to them, you know, now we have the box of a mother wants to remain anonymous. I think Batesville is not gonna find a dead baby in their community because they're being so proactive right now. This is a really good thing for Batesville. You know, the safe haven law. You know, you think of all these moms that you know don't want or can't care for their newborn child. And it's heart wrenching to think that a mother could actually be in a position like this. And I have to go back 47 years to my own birth mom who was in this situation and so to be able to walk alongside these moms now, for them to be able to choose a safe option for their child really warms my heart because I wish someone would have done that 47 years ago with my birth mom. But today I'm doing that for others and that that's where my heart is fine. There's so many options for moms today, and if a mom is listening that that may not know what she's going to do, call us Cholerae 100 number. The 800 numbers on all of our boxes. It's on our website. It's on Oliver literature. You will be able to find us and find that number if you need us. But call us. Let us help you walk this path. You know, let us walk beside you as you make this difficult choice. And if you choose the safe haven law, that's what it's here for, to make sure that every child is safe and will help you do that.
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Three newborns safely surrendered in 5 weeks at Indiana fire station's baby box
A third baby was surrendered at the same Safe Haven Baby Box in five weeks at an Indiana fire station.The Carmel, Indiana Fire Department announced Wednesday a third baby was safely surrendered to their baby box.It's the third in 5 weeks, which is a first in Safe Haven Baby Box history.Related video above: Margaret Mary Heath in Batesville installs Safe Haven Baby Box for surrendered newborns"This is truly a historical moment," Safe Haven Baby Box Founder Monica Kelsey said.The baby boxes are named after the Indiana Safe Haven Law, which was enacted 20 years ago and enables a person to give up an infant no more than 45 days old anonymously and without fear of arrest or prosecution. Indiana is one of five states that have a Safe Haven law.It's a record year for the Safe Haven Baby Box, Kelsey said, with 11 babies being safely surrendered to a fire station baby box in 2022. The baby boxes are named after the Indiana Safe Haven Law, which was enacted 20 years ago and enables a person to give up an infant no more than 45 days old anonymously and without fear of arrest or prosecution. Indiana is one of five states that have a Safe Haven law.Kelsey, who was herself abandoned as an infant, said the effort to equip firehouses with the boxes aims to eliminate situations where babies are placed in danger by women or parents seeking to abandon their infants.Each box is climate-controlled with an automatic lock mechanism. When the box is opened, a silent alarm is triggered, alerting 911 dispatch and the fire department of a drop-off. Each costs about $15,000 to install.

A third baby was surrendered at the same Safe Haven Baby Box in five weeks at an Indiana fire station.

The Carmel, Indiana Fire Department announced Wednesday a third baby was safely surrendered to their baby box.

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It's the third in 5 weeks, which is a first in Safe Haven Baby Box history.

Related video above: Margaret Mary Heath in Batesville installs Safe Haven Baby Box for surrendered newborns

"This is truly a historical moment," Safe Haven Baby Box Founder Monica Kelsey said.

The baby boxes are named after the Indiana Safe Haven Law, which was enacted 20 years ago and enables a person to give up an infant no more than 45 days old anonymously and without fear of arrest or prosecution. Indiana is one of five states that have a Safe Haven law.

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It's a record year for the Safe Haven Baby Box, Kelsey said, with 11 babies being safely surrendered to a fire station baby box in 2022.

The baby boxes are named after the Indiana Safe Haven Law, which was enacted 20 years ago and enables a person to give up an infant no more than 45 days old anonymously and without fear of arrest or prosecution. Indiana is one of five states that have a Safe Haven law.

Kelsey, who was herself abandoned as an infant, said the effort to equip firehouses with the boxes aims to eliminate situations where babies are placed in danger by women or parents seeking to abandon their infants.

Each box is climate-controlled with an automatic lock mechanism. When the box is opened, a silent alarm is triggered, alerting 911 dispatch and the fire department of a drop-off. Each costs about $15,000 to install.