The state of Idaho introduced the first Safe Haven Baby Box. Created This is to prevent parents from leaving their newborn babies in dangerous environments, potentially causing them to die.
The box, installed at Grove Creek Medical Center, 350 N Meridian in Blackfoot, was officially blessed Tuesday, making it the 245th Safe Haven Baby Box in the country, Local News 8 reported. reportMonica Kelsey founded the organization in 2015 to combat baby abandonment, and now there are baby boxes in 17 states. The organization also runs a confidential national hotline at 1-866-99BABY1 (1-866-992-2291).
Contributor Grove Creek Medical Center upon Tuesday, July 9, 2024
“We are thrilled to have Idaho join the ranks of states committed to ending infant abandonment. We have seen time and time again that preparedness can save and change lives,” Kelsey said. “We never know when or where we will be needed, so it is vital that options are available to mothers in crisis.”
A baby box is a temperature-controlled incubator that is often built into the exterior wall of a fire station, police station, or hospital and can be accessed from the inside. Mothers who are at risk can safely and legally place their newborns in a baby box. Once the baby is in the baby box, the outer door is locked and the mother is allowed to get out before an alarm sounds to alert emergency personnel and hospital staff to the baby’s presence.
The baby is then quickly removed and sent to a hospital for a medical examination, after which the baby is usually placed in the custody of the state and often quickly put up for adoption.
At least 50 babies have been handed over to the baby boxes since 2017, local media reported.
“The National Safe Haven Crisis Line has assisted over 150 extraditions, and that number is growing each year,” the report continues.
The Idaho Legislature unanimously passed an amendment to the existing Safe Haven Baby law in March to allow the use of Safe Haven Baby Boxes. according to To Idaho State JournalIdaho Governor Brad Little (R) quickly signed the law, and it went into effect on July 1.
“The new law requires that babies must be 30 days old or older before they can be placed in state custody and ultimately put up for adoption,” according to the report.
