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Safe Haven Baby Boxes
Safe Haven Baby Boxes mission is to prevent illegal abandonment of newborns by raising awareness, offering a 24-hour hotline for mothers in crisis and offering a last resort option for women. National Safe Haven Baby Boxes Crisis Hotline (1866-99BABY1).
A surrender in the Safe Haven Baby Boxes provides a last resort option. Women who call the National Safe Haven Baby Boxes Hotline are encouraged to do a face-to-face surrender for the sake of their rights and health. Each location offers copies that provide information about mother’s rights and medical information, along with reference to the Safe Haven Baby Boxes National Hotline and website.
The Indiana Safe Haven Law enables a person to give up an unwanted infant anonymously without fear of arrest or prosecution if the infant is 30 days or younger. As long as there are no signs of intentional abuse on the baby, no information is required of the person leaving the baby. Any knowledge of the date of birth, race, parent medical history, child's health or anything that would be useful to the child's caregiver would be greatly appreciated.
Once the baby is examined and given medical treatment (if needed), the Indiana Department of Child Services will take the baby into custody through Child Protective Services where it will be placed with a caregiver.
Should the mother contact Safe Haven Baby Boxes after the surrender, she will be provided the same information provided with a face-to-face surrender and given guidance on where to seek help.
How does the box work?
1. Parent opens the door to the baby box and a silent alarm is triggered and a call goes to dispatch.
2. Parent places the baby in the bassinet. A sensor is located on the inside of the box that triggers a second call dispatch call.
3. Parent can push a button or simply close the door, which sets off a third alarm and call to dispatch and locks the exterior door.
4. Emergency personnel retrieves the baby from the inside, evaluates, and takes the baby to the hospital.