The Westfield Fire Department and Safe Haven Baby Boxes announced on Friday the launch of a new baby box location at Fire Station No. 83, 17944 Grassy Branch Road. This location is the 51st Safe Haven Baby Box in the country and is now available to the public.
“I am pleased to see Westfield have a Safe Haven Baby Box,” said Westfield Mayor Andy Cook. “While I hope it is never used, it is important that we have this available for a parent in crisis. Every baby deserves a chance and this program is one way to make that possible.”
“We are always looking for innovative ways to serve our community,” said Westfield Fire Chief Marcus Reed. “Adding a Safe Haven Baby Box to one of our stations is just another way we can proactively protect our most vulnerable.”
Photo provided by City of Westfield
Safe Haven Baby Boxes cost roughly $15,000 to install and are equipped with alarm systems to immediately notify staff at the fire station. The boxes also have heating and cooling features and are made to lock as soon as the baby is placed inside. Several local businesses and community members donated funds to support this Westfield Safe Haven Baby Box location.
Indiana is one of five states with updated Safe Haven Laws to include additional infant surrender options, such as the Safe Haven Baby Box. Click here to view all the Safe Haven Baby Box locations.
About Safe Haven Baby Boxes
The mission of Safe Haven Baby Boxes is to end infant abandonment by raising awareness of the Safe Haven Law by providing resources for safe and legal infant surrender. The organization staffs a 24-hour anonymous hotline (1-866-99-BABY-1) for mothers in crisis. In Indiana, nine babies have been surrendered inside Safe Haven Baby Boxes since the first box was installed in 2016.