Noblesville Fire Station 74 blessed its own Baby Box on Tuesday, highlighting the anonymous surrender option that is now available 24/7. The fire station is located at 20777 Hague Road, and the Baby Box is featured on the south side of the building.
This marks the 105th Baby Box in Indiana and 162nd in the nation. Fourteen babies have been lovingly surrendered via Baby Box this year.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes fills the void in the Safe Haven movement as the only organization in the nation dedicated to providing an anonymous surrender option for mothers in crisis. The organization was founded in 2016 by Monica Kelsey, who learned in adulthood she was abandoned as an infant. Now her life’s mission is to end infant abandonment and advocate for the Safe Haven Law.
Both Noblesville Fire Chief Matt Mitchell (top) and Safe Haven Baby Boxes Founder Monica Kelsey (above) spoke during the ceremony on Tuesday. (Photos provided)
In addition to educating citizens on the Safe Haven Law, Safe Haven Baby Boxes provides free confidential counseling via the hotline 1-866-99BABY1.
“This area of Indiana has seen several surrenders, and we are pleased to offer another location to protect vulnerable women and their children,” Kelsey said. “We are seeing our program successfully offer a safe option for women who are unseen and underserved.”
A Baby Box allows for the legal, safe, and anonymous surrender of an infant provided under the Safe Haven Law. It features three silent alarms alerting first responders to the presence of a surrendered infant. The baby will be attended to within five minutes and taken to the hospital for medical evaluation. Adoption occurs within 30 to 45 days by families who are signed up for foster care with the intention to adopt.
“The Noblesville Fire Department is honored to provide a safe, anonymous, life-saving option for mothers and parents that are unsure of where to turn or what to do,” Fire Chief Matt Mitchell said. “The Safe Haven Baby Box exists to help people who have no recourse but to surrender their infant in a way that ensures the child’s safety.”
“This serves not just Noblesville, but any mother that may be in crisis in Hamilton County and beyond,” Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen said “I’m happy we have it. I hope it’s not used, but if it is this will give someone a second chance at life.”
Since 2017, 35 infants have been placed in a Baby Box. Nationwide, over 130 surrenders have resulted from calling the National Safe Haven Baby Box hotline. Safe Haven Baby Boxes are currently available in Indiana, Ohio, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Missouri and Mississippi. Learn more at shbb.org.
Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen with the new Baby Box. (Photo provided)