The Origins of Safe Haven Baby Boxes

Safe Haven Baby Boxes was founded by Monica Kelsey, a firefighter and paramedic from Indiana, inspired by her own personal story. As an adult, Kelsey discovered that she had been abandoned as an infant by her teenage mother. This revelation fueled her passion to advocate for safe and legal alternatives to infant abandonment.

In 2013, during a trip to South Africa, Kelsey observed a baby safe box in operation. These secure compartments allowed mothers in crisis to safely surrender their newborns rather than leaving them in unsafe locations. Recognizing the potential to save lives, Kelsey returned to the U.S. determined to bring a similar system to American communities.

At the time, Safe Haven laws already allowed parents to surrender infants at hospitals, fire stations, and EMS stations. However, Kelsey wanted to provide an even more discreet option, reducing the fear or stigma associated with face-to-face surrender. Her solution: Safe Haven Baby Boxes, which would allow parents to safely surrender their newborns in complete anonymity.

 

 

The First Safe Haven Baby Box

After years of advocacy and legislative efforts, the first Safe Haven Baby Box in the U.S. was installed in Woodburn, Indiana, in April 2016. Since then, the initiative has expanded rapidly, with installations across multiple states, including Texas, Kentucky, Ohio, and Florida.

How Safe Haven Baby Boxes Work

Safe Haven Baby Boxes offer a secure, monitored alternative to traditional Safe Haven drop-offs. The process is designed to ensure the safety of the newborn while providing anonymity for parents in crisis:

  • The boxes are temperature-controlled and installed at designated locations such as fire stations and hospitals.
  • When a baby is placed inside, the box automatically locks and sends an immediate alert to emergency personnel.
  • First responders arrive within minutes to retrieve the baby and provide medical care.
  • The system ensures a safe, legal, and anonymous surrender option for parents.

Since its inception, the Safe Haven Baby Box program has saved numerous infants from unsafe abandonment. Additionally, the organization operates a 24-hour national crisis hotline to provide counseling and support for parents considering surrender.

 

 

Safe Haven Baby Boxes in Texas

In a continued effort to support parents in crisis, Texas is expanding its use of Safe Haven Baby Boxes. These devices align with the state’s Safe Haven law, also known as the Baby Moses law, which allows parents to legally surrender newborns at hospitals, fire stations, emergency centers, or EMS stations without fear of prosecution—provided the baby is unharmed and within the legal age limit of 60 days.

Several Texas cities have already installed Safe Haven Baby Boxes, offering parents a discreet and secure alternative to in-person surrender. Current locations include:

  • Abilene – Home to the first Safe Haven Baby Box in Texas, installed at Fire Station #7, located at 431 N. Pioneer Drive.
  • Lubbock – Multiple fire stations in the city now feature Safe Haven Baby Boxes.
  • Corsicana – Another city that has successfully implemented the program.

While smaller cities have embraced the initiative, larger metropolitan areas—such as San Antonio—have faced delays despite allocated funding and strong community support.

A Lifesaving Resource for Texas Families

The expansion of Safe Haven Baby Boxes in Texas marks a significant step in protecting newborns and providing a critical resource for parents in distress. As more cities consider adopting the program, advocates hope for broader statewide implementation, ensuring every parent has access to a safe and legal option for surrendering their baby.

For more information or to find the nearest Safe Haven Baby Box location, visit shbb.org.

You can watch the first in a series of videos produced by the Safe Haven Baby Boxes program that shares their journey from idea to reality. 

Floating Vimeo Video