WESTFIELD, Ind. — A new baby box is coming to Westfield, marking the 127th in the Hoosier state and 239th in the United States.
The nonprofit organization Safe Haven Baby Boxes, founded in 2015, announced that a blessing will be held on Monday, June 17 at 1 p.m. to celebrate the installation of Indiana’s newest baby box. The new baby box will provide mothers with a location to anonymously surrender babies without fear of any legal repercussions.
“We are very happy to provide our second box here in the city of Westfield that may allow a mother in crisis an anonymous location to safely surrender their baby,” said Rob Gaylor, fire chief at the Westfield Fire Department.
The newly installed baby box is located at Westfield Fire Department Station 81 at 17001 Ditch Road and will be available 24/7.
“We have seen time and time again that preparation can save and change lives,” said Monica Kelsey, founder of Safe Haven. “We never know when or where we will be needed, so it is crucial to have options for mothers in crisis. I am grateful for local advocates who take our mission to their community.”
According to the release, 49 infants have been surrendered at baby boxes around the country since 2017. The nonprofit’s National Safe Haven Crisis line has also assisted with over 150 handoff surrenders. That confidential hotline can be reached at 1-866-99BABY1.
