News

On June 20, 2024, at 1 p.m., the Richmond Fire Department - Station #1 hosted a blessing for the Safe Haven Baby Box. The first Safe Haven Baby Box in Richmond, Indiana is located at 101 S. 5th St. This event marked the beginning of a new chapter in providing hope and support to mothers in crisis and offering a safe and anonymous surrender for newborns in need.

Monica Kelsey founded Safe Haven Baby Boxes in 2015 to end infant abandonment. The organization provides a confidential National Hotline, 1-866-99BABY1. Seventeen states currently have a Baby Box presence within their state. Kelsey shared, “We are proud to offer hope to mothers in crisis and provide a location for safe, anonymous surrender. I am grateful for local advocates in Richmond who prioritized bringing our mission to their community.” Since 2017, 49 infants have been safely and legally surrendered in a Baby Box. The National Safe Haven Crisis Line has assisted with over 150 handoff surrenders. 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. The local Department of Family Services coordinates the adoption process. There are 242 Safe Haven Baby Box locations in the U.S., with 128 in Indiana.

Mayor Oler, shared, "We are thrilled to welcome the Safe Haven Baby Box to our community. This compassionate resource offers a second chance for newborns in need, ensuring their safety and well-being. It's a powerful symbol of hope and a reminder that there's always support available."

Richmond Fire Department is proud to be able to bring this blessing to our community. These Safe Haven Baby Boxes can save lives and nothing is more important than that. Thank you to all involved in making this happen.

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