Newborn Safely Surrendered at Mehlville Firehouse

The Mehlville Fire District reported that a newborn baby was surrendered to a baby box located at Fire House 2 in Melville, Missouri. This occurred last Sunday around 2:30 PM at the address 5434 Telegraph Road.

Following the discovery, firefighters quickly took custody of the infant, who was then transported to a hospital for evaluation and care. The baby is now under the supervision of the Missouri Department of Human Services.

The Safe Haven Baby Box was established to help prevent parents from abandoning their newborns, which could lead to tragic outcomes. These boxes, which often include temperature-controlled incubators, are built into the exterior of fire stations, police stations, and hospitals, allowing at-risk mothers to anonymously and securely place their babies inside. Once the baby is placed in the box, the outer door locks, giving the mother time to leave before responders are notified.

Infants placed in the baby box are immediately taken to a hospital for a health check and are typically placed into state custody afterward.

Brian Hendricks, the fire chief of the Mehlville Fire District, highlighted the significance of resources like the Safe Haven Baby Boxes for the community, expressing gratitude for their availability.

This recent surrender marks the second use of the baby box since its installation in August 2023; the first instance occurred in February 2024. In Missouri, parents are legally permitted to surrender infants at hospitals, fire departments, police stations, EMS providers, and designated baby boxes within 45 days of birth.

Additionally, the Safe Haven Baby Boxes organization operates a Confidential National Safe Haven Hotline, 1-866-99Baby1, offering free consultation and information regarding safe surrenders, including in-person options.