Last Updated on July 16, 2020 by Safe Haven Baby Boxes
SOURCE: News release from Safe Haven Baby Boxes
Logansport Central Fire Station in Logansport, Indiana has installed Indiana’s 31st Safe Haven Baby Box and the 35th Safe Haven Baby Box in the country.
The baby box is located on the west side of the station located at 630 High Street in Logansport, Indiana and will be available to the public starting on Friday, July 17.
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The Safe Haven Law allows people to anonymously surrender their healthy newborn without fear of criminal prosecution.
Safe Haven Baby Box Inc. is a non-profit founded by firefighter/medic Monica Kelsey. Kelsey was abandoned as an infant and is committed to ending illegal infant abandonment, raising awareness of the Safe Haven law,and providing resources to mothers in crisis with the installation of Safe Haven Baby Boxes.
The Safe Haven Baby Box organization also staffs a 24-hour hotline (1-866-99BABY1) to give women the opportunity to talk to a trained professional as they consider safely surrendering their baby.
“So far in 2020, 13 babies have been surrendered safely nationwide as a result of calling the Safe Haven Baby Box hotline or using a Safe Haven Baby Box. We know that education and awareness around the Safe Haven Laws and Safe Haven Baby Boxes save lives. Women in crisis need more options, in more locations throughout the United States,” says MonicaKelsey.
Right to Life of North Central Indiana raised funds to install the Safe Haven Baby Box at the Logansport fire station with the support of former Logansport Fire Chief, Bernard Mittica.
“I feel honored to provide this Safe Haven Baby Box to all the communities we reach out to. I hope awareness passes along this option among society to prevent the loss of life in newborns. I believe cities who provide Safe Haven Baby Boxes are reachingout further to protect left behind newborns, this is a ‘mission statement itself.’ I would like to thank Chanel Cunningham, David Koontz, and Monica Kelsey for choosing Logansport Fire Department to be a location forSafe Haven Baby Box. Also, thank you to our local sponsors for their generous donations.”, says Mittica.
Current Logansport Fire Chief, Rick Bair adds, “Myself along with the entire staff here at the Logansport Fire Department feel very excited to be one of a handful of Fire Departments across the state to have this life saving baby box for the most precious and innocent human beings in our community.”
Nationwide, 78 women and children have come through the Safe Haven Baby Boxes program since April 2016.Safe Haven Baby Boxes cost roughly $15,000 with installation and are equipped with alarm systems to notify 9-1-1 immediately. Safe Haven Baby Boxes also have heating and cooling features and lock as soon as the baby is placed inside. Indiana is one of five states with updated Safe Haven Laws to include additional surrenderoptions, such as the Safe Haven Baby Box