Safe Haven Baby Boxes

Safe Haven Baby Boxes (SHBB) is a non-profit organization that provides a safe and legal alternative to abandoning newborn babies. This organization, founded by Monica Kelsey in 2015, installs specialized baby boxes at designated secure locations where parents can safely surrender their newborns, ensuring their well-being and reducing the risk of harm or abandonment.

History and background
SHBB was founded in 2015 by Monica Kelsey, a firefighter and medic from Indiana, United States. The idea for the organization came about after Kelsey discovered that she was abandoned as an infant. She developed the baby box concept to prevent similar situations and protect the lives of vulnerable infants. SHBB launched the first baby box in the US in 2016 and received its first surrendered newborn in 2017.

Purpose and function
The primary purpose of SHBB is to provide a safe and anonymous way for parents to surrender their newborns, prevent infant abandonment, and ensure the well-being of these infants. The organization achieves this by installing baby boxes, also known as newborn safety incubators, at designated locations such as fire stations, hospitals, and other safe havens that are staffed 24/7.

A baby box is a climate-controlled and electronically-monitored device built into a wall. The box's interior resembles a bassinet, and it is designed to be easily accessible outside while keeping the baby secure inside. When a parent places a newborn in the baby box, it triggers an alarm that alerts the staff inside the haven location. Another sensor goes off once the baby is placed inside. The person surrendering the baby can push a button or close the door, which triggers a third alarm. The baby receives immediate medical attention once retrieved from the box. They are then placed in the care of child protective services. The newborn is attended to within five minutes.

Legal and ethical considerations
SHBB operates within the confines of the legal framework provided by each jurisdiction. In many countries, including the United States, laws commonly known as Safe Haven laws or Baby Safe Haven laws exist. These laws typically designate specific locations, such as hospitals or fire stations, where a parent can relinquish custody of a newborn without fear of legal repercussions, as long as the baby is unharmed.

The organization collaborates with local authorities, healthcare professionals, and child protective services to ensure surrendered infants receive appropriate medical care and are placed in safe and loving homes through the established adoption or foster care processes.

Impact and expansion
Since its inception, SHBB has promoted infant safety and prevented child abandonment. The organization has installed baby boxes at various locations across the United States, expanding its reach. It offers a 24-hour hotline for mothers in crisis, allowing parents to speak to a licensed counselor about their situation. It also helps them find haven locations. The visibility and accessibility of baby boxes have increased public awareness about safe surrender options and encouraged conversations about supporting struggling parents. The boxes are a last-resort option for parents in crisis. Parents who call the hotline are encouraged to surrender the infant face-to-face for their rights and health.

SHBB continues to advocate for implementing Safe Haven laws in states where they are not yet in place and for expanding existing laws to ensure the safety and well-being of newborns nationwide. There are currently 142 baby boxes installed at safe havens in eleven states across the US. Boxes can be found in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Arkansas, Florida, New Mexico, North Carolina, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, and Arizona. The organization actively collaborates with legislators, healthcare professionals, and community organizations to raise awareness and provide education about the importance of safe surrender options.

Criticisms
Safe havens for babies have existed for centuries. In Europe, convents and other places of worship would set up rotating cribs where parents could leave their babies. These cribs were known as foundling wheels. Critics say the practice allows people to surrender children without the parent's consent.

In a meeting in November 2012, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child decided that haven boxes only encourage parents to give away babies. They argued that male relatives or pimps could abandon the children against the mother's wishes. That committee is now advocating for a complete ban on the practice.

A spokesman for a similar but rival charity named "A Safe Haven for Newborns," has argued that the baby boxes don't meet public building safety standards. They can also allow someone who kidnapped or trafficked a child to escape detection. Parents who have neglected or abused a newborn could also get away with it. Additionally, the boxes give terrorists a spot to place a bomb or toxic substance, endangering hospital workers and firefighters.