Montana’s First Safe Haven Baby Box Launched

Montana’s first Safe Haven Baby Box was dedicated on Wednesday in Rockwood.

Pastor and firefighter Nick Anderson officiated the blessing ceremony, marking the official opening of the baby box. Fire chief Branden Stevens expressed pride in the Rockwood Fire District members, noting their achievement in getting the box operational.

The baby box is designed to provide a safe and legal option for parents to leave their newborns instead of abandoning them. These temperature-controlled incubators are built into the walls of fire stations, police stations, and hospitals, allowing at-risk mothers to place their babies inside securely. Once a baby is placed in the box, an alarm goes off, locking the outer door, giving the mother time to leave before first responders are alerted.

After being removed from the box, the baby is taken to the hospital for a wellness check and generally enters state custody, often leading to adoption.

In Montana, the law allows infants up to 30 days old to be legally surrendered at designated locations, a regulation updated last year to include baby boxes. Monica Kelsey, CEO of Safe Haven’s Baby Box, highlighted the importance of providing resources for mothers who feel they have no other options, emphasizing that the box is a valuable resource for parents unsure of how to safely surrender their children.

Kelsey also mentioned concerns over babies being abandoned in unsafe locations. The introduction of baby boxes offers a discreet alternative for mothers who wish to remain anonymous during the process.

Stevens noted that other fire stations in the state are interested in adding baby boxes like the one in Lockwood. Initial efforts to set up the box began in 2024, led by Captain Kevin Sparrow, who faced funding challenges until an anonymous donor stepped in to cover the costs.

About 60 community members gathered to celebrate the launch of the baby box. “Hopefully it stays empty, but if it’s needed, we’re prepared,” Stevens commented.