Little Rock Safe Haven Baby Box to receive public blessing and dedication

LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — The Central Fire Station is set to host a a public dedication and blessing of its baby box May 15 at 4 p.m.

Monica Kelsey, founder of Safe Haven Baby Boxes, said there are 228 Safe Haven Baby Boxes across the country, with Arkansas having 24 of them.

“In just the last few weeks, we have had two instances of parents who have surrendered their newborn babies at our fire stations because they believed they had no other choice, for whatever the reason. Our ultimate responsibility in each of those cases was to protect the infant’s wellbeing. The installation of a Safe Haven Baby Box will ensure parents in crisis will have a 24/7, last-resort option to surrender their newborns and ensure the health and safety of the child,” Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. said in a press release.

“I appreciate the support of Calvary Baptist Church, Chief (Delphone) Hubbard and the Fire Department and others who have worked to install the first baby box in Little Rock,” Scott added.

“Calvary Baptist Church funded the project to provide the first Safe Haven Baby Box location in Little Rock. The blessing occurs after a busy month of April with two infants surrendered under the Safe Haven Law in this community. Now mothers in crisis will have anonymity on their side with the addition of the Little Rock Baby Box,” said Kelsey.

The organization provides a confidential National Hotline, 1-866-99BABY1. Sixteen states have a Baby Box presence within their state. Kelsey said, “We have seen time and time again that preparation can save and change lives. 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.”

Both the Baby Boxes and National Safe Haven Crisis Line have both done wonders, with 44 infants being surrendered and 150 handoffs occurring respectively.

Infants surrendered at Baby Boxes are adopted by eligible foster families with the help of local family services.

Billboards supporting the Safe Haven Law have been placed across 30 counties across Arkansas through the support of Arkansas Right to Life.

The importance of these billboards is stressed by Rose Mimms, executive director of Arkansas Right to Life, as it informs mother of the Safe Haven Law.

“The Safe Haven Law can help a mother to safely surrender her child to an official location, hospital, law enforcement or manned fire department in Arkansas or anonymously in a Safe Haven Baby Box,” Mimms said.

Since 2001, the Safe Haven Law has been protecting babies from being hurt or killed by parents who may not be able to parent the right way due to certain circumstances.

The law originally had parents giving up their babies at hospitals only, but was changed to also include fire stations in 2019.

The implementation of baby safety devices was also approved in the amended law sponsored by Arkansas Senator Cecile Bledsoe and Representative Rebecca Petty.

To learn more about Safe Haven Boxes, email Kelsey monicakelsey@safehavenbabyboxes.com.