A newborn infant was safely placed in a Safe Haven Baby Box at a fire station in Ennis, Texas, according to local authorities.
The baby boy was brought to Fire Station No. 3 last month, just after a baby box was installed on the building. He was discovered with the umbilical cord and placenta still attached, as reported by WFAA.
“It worked as designed,” noted Ennis Fire Department Chief Bill Evans.
Officials confirmed that the baby is healthy and receiving appropriate care.
“I held the baby for probably 45 minutes. I mean, it was the best moment of my life,” said Crystal Cooper, an EMT who was among the first responders to find the infant and take him to a nearby hospital.
“We must remember there’s a mother involved in this,” remarked Monica Kelsey, CEO of Safe Haven Baby Boxes.
“We need to honor her choices while also providing support for the decisions she made,” Kelsey, who experienced abandonment as a child, added.
“But this baby wasn’t abandoned. This child was legally, safely, and lovingly surrendered by parents seeking a better future,” Kelsey explained.
Baby boxes were established to prevent the abandonment of newborns in dangerous circumstances. These are temperature-controlled incubators, often placed on the exterior of fire stations, police stations, and hospitals. They allow at-risk mothers to securely and legally surrender their newborns indoors. The outside of the box locks after the baby is placed inside, giving the mother a chance to leave before the alarm alerts responders.
The safe haven baby box initiative started nine years ago in Indiana and has since expanded, with over 425 locations across the country. More than 75 newborns have been placed in baby boxes in the U.S., while Safe Haven Baby Boxes states they have also facilitated at least 150 safe transfers to other designated locations.
Texas has around 21 baby boxes, and Kelsey noted that the state previously had the highest rates of infant abandonment, with babies found in trash bins and dumpsters.
A safe haven law in Texas allows newborns, less than 60 days old, to be given to hospitals, fire departments, EMS providers, or baby boxes legally.
Kelsey expressed her appreciation for parents who choose to safely surrender their children. “Thank you for keeping your baby safe and trusting the Ennis Fire Department and the Safe Haven Baby Box organization. Your child is well-cared for,” she said, acknowledging the emotional challenges involved in such decisions.
“‘We want her to know we’ve taken excellent care of her baby, and we’re thankful she entrusted us with that responsibility,'” Cooper mentioned. During the ride to the hospital, she even gave the baby a temporary name: Baby Ennis.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes offers a confidential national hotline, 1-866-99BABY1, providing free counseling and resources regarding safe surrender practices.
