A newborn was anonymously left in a Safe Haven Baby Box at a fire station in The Woodlands, Texas, on Monday, according to officials.
The Woodlands Fire Department reported that the baby was safely placed in the system at Station 6, located at 1100 Windsor Lakes Blvd., and was subsequently taken to a nearby hospital for a medical check-up.
“This safe haven baby box exists precisely for moments like this,” Fire Chief Palmer Buck stated. “Today, this baby is safe because someone chose a secure and lawful option during what was surely a tough time. We’re thankful that our system is functioning correctly and that babies are receiving the necessary care right now.”
Safe Haven Baby Boxes were established to keep parents from leaving their infants in perilous situations that could result in harm. These boxes are climate-controlled incubators, often installed in the walls of fire stations, police stations, and hospitals. They can be accessed from within, enabling mothers in crisis to place their newborns inside securely. Once the box is closed, it locks automatically, giving the mother a moment to leave before an alarm signals first responders and hospital staff.
The infant is immediately taken to the hospital for health evaluations. Usually, the baby is then placed into state custody and often adopted soon after.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes, which began in Indiana nine years ago, have now expanded to at least 455 locations across the country. Over 80 newborns have been surrendered through these boxes, and the organization claims to have facilitated the transfer of around 200 infants to safe locations.
There is also a confidential national hotline, 1-866-99BABY1, provided by Safe Haven Baby Boxes that offers free counseling and information about safe surrenders, including options for in-person surrenders.
Monica Kelsey, founder of the Safe Haven Baby Box organization, shared that “in the last 23 days and now into the 24th, we’ve recorded nine surrenders, which is unusual for us. Typically, we see around 20 to 25 a year,” as reported by local news outlet Click2Houston.
The Woodlands Township Baby Box location opened in April 2025, with Woodlands Township President Brad Bailey stating that the initiative “provides a compassionate option that safeguards the well-being of infants while offering hope.” He added, “We are thankful that this baby is safe and commend the fire department for their role in delivering this essential resource to our community.”
Texas has a Safe Haven law allowing newborns up to 60 days old to be legally surrendered at hospitals, fire departments, EMS providers, and baby boxes.
