On December 22nd, a baby boy believed to be just “a few hours old” was safely placed in a baby box at Safe Haven in Montgomery, Alabama.
The baby was surrendered at Fire Station 10. A report cited by Montgomery Advertiser noted that Montgomery Fire/Rescue (MFR) decided to delay the announcement of the baby’s arrival in order to uphold the privacy and anonymity of all parties involved.
“Fire Station 10 personnel responded right away after the Safe Haven Baby Box alarm was triggered,” Montgomery Fire Rescue stated. “Firefighters discovered a healthy newborn, believed to be just a few hours old, in a temperature-controlled environment.”
According to the report, Montgomery police also adhered to protocol and responded to the situation. The infant was taken to a nearby hospital for assessment and care.
“We appreciate the parents who entrusted us with their child, demonstrating great love and courage to ensure their safety,” MFR expressed in a statement. “Choosing this path showcases a deep commitment to providing the child with a hopeful future.”
Officials from Safe Haven Baby Box and the Alabama Department of Human Resources are also involved in the process. MFR noted that this marks the second location to receive a baby box since the initial installation in May. The baby is among approximately 70 infants who have been safely surrendered through this life-saving initiative.
Baby boxes were established to prevent parents from leaving their newborns in perilous situations that could lead to tragedy. Essentially, these boxes are temperature-controlled incubators, often fitted into the walls of fire stations, police stations, and hospitals, allowing at-risk mothers to safely and legally leave their newborns. Once the baby is placed in the box, the outer door locks, giving the mother a moment to depart before an alarm alerts emergency responders and hospital staff.
The baby is then promptly removed and directed to a hospital for health evaluations. Following that, the infant typically enters state custody and is frequently placed for adoption shortly thereafter.
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In Alabama, infants up to 45 days old are legally permitted to be surrendered to hospitals, fire departments, or designated safe spaces.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes include: Confidential National Safety Haven Hotline, 1-866-99BABY1, offering free counseling and information regarding safe handovers, including options for in-person relinquishments.
