An infant was recently placed in a Safe Haven Baby Box in Nolensville, Tennessee.
The Safe Haven Baby Boxes organization reported that the child was surrendered at the Tri-Star Nolensville ER. Hospital staff acted quickly, and authorities are now coordinating to place the child with an adoptive family.
Monica Kelsey, founder and CEO of Safe Haven Baby Boxes, expressed gratitude, stating, “This mother bravely trusted our program to provide hope and security for herself and her infant. We are grateful for her selfless act, done out of love for her baby.”
The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services has not provided updates on the child’s current condition.
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Safe Haven Baby Boxes were created to offer a secure option for parents wishing to surrender their newborns safely. These boxes are temperature-controlled incubators installed in locations like fire stations and hospitals. When a mother places her baby in such a box, she has the opportunity to leave before the door locks and an alarm alerts emergency personnel.
Once secured, the baby is promptly taken to the hospital for health assessments and typically enters state custody. Adoption often follows soon after.
“Most parents who use the Safe Haven Baby Box have thought about this for a long time,” Kelsey noted. “This is probably one of the hardest decisions she’s ever made, and one of the most emotional.”
According to Tennessee’s Safeguarding Act, parents can deliver infants up to 45 days old directly to hospitals, police stations, EMTs, or fire departments, including through baby boxes.
Launched in Indiana nine years ago, Safe Haven Baby Boxes have expanded to at least 425 locations nationwide. Reports indicate that over 70 newborns have been relinquished through these boxes across the U.S. The organization also claims to have assisted 150 individuals in finding secure placements.
For confidential support, Safe Haven Baby Boxes operates a national hotline at 1-866-99BABY1, offering counseling and guidance on safe surrenders.
