The Safe Haven Baby Box initiative represents a mutually beneficial arrangement for newborns and their mothers. While the program offers a degree of attention, it is clear that it warrants a more substantial commitment. The Safe Haven Law is designed to protect infants from harm or death resulting from parental abandonment. This is particularly relevant in instances where parents are unable or unwilling to provide adequate care.
I recently learned of the arrival of the inaugural Safe Haven Baby Box in Mississippi. The site is a fire station, as reported by Ansley Brent, where the box will be placed on the opposite side of the Long Beach Fire Department.
“How it works is that the parent or parents can open up this door and it will alert EMS and 911 that a baby has been placed inside of it. Once they respond, they will take the child to the nearest hospital so they can be medically examined.”
While there are numerous options available, fire stations represent a particularly advantageous choice due to their constant availability. In a conversation with Brent, Long Beach Fire Chief Griff Skellie expressed his satisfaction with the department’s involvement in the initiative, emphasizing the crucial role of fire stations in saving lives.
Brent notes that to ensure the baby box is comfortable for the infant during its brief period of occupancy, the box will be climate-controlled at 74 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.
It is evident that some delays were to be expected. The first ever Safe Haven Baby Box in the state of Mississippi took a total of ten months to arrive. The driving force behind this initiative was Haven Baby Box Advocate Caitlin Kelly. During this ten-month period, Kelly undertook a series of visits to various cities with the aim of persuading them to house a baby box and to also change the entire legislation of the safe haven law.
Kelly explained that the purpose of the box is an extension of the existing Safe Haven Law. The revised safe haven legislation now permits the surrender of a child without fear of prosecution if the child is 45 days or younger. The unique aspect of the box is that it is the only anonymous option available in the state, and in many other states as well.
Volunteers, such as Bottom 2 Top Construction, provided assistance in the installation of the box. John Dellinger, the Project Manager of Bottom 2 Top, stated, “We volunteered to provide all the labor. We and Commercial Electric will be responsible for the installation of the baby box. We will provide all the demolition and rough framing for it, and Commercial Electric will be responsible for all the wiring connections to make it all function.”
Kelly expressed gratitude for the positive response from the residents of Long Beach and other interested parties in other cities.
“The biggest part for me is seeing God move through all of this. The right people were in my path the entire time and He knew the next step. Watching Mayor Bass be on board, Chief Skellie and everyone and the Aldermen that really wanted to have this community. It’s not only exciting for Long Beach, but it’s exciting for the entire state.”
Daniel Miller is responsible for nearly all of National Right to Life News' political writing.
With the election of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency, Daniel Miller developed a deep obsession with U.S. politics that has never let go of the political scientist. Whether it's the election of Joe Biden, the midterm elections in Congress, the abortion rights debate in the Supreme Court or the mudslinging in the primaries - Daniel Miller is happy to stay up late for you.
Daniel was born and raised in New York. After living in China, working for a news agency and another stint at a major news network, he now lives in Arizona with his two daughters.
