‘The best chance’: Baby surrendered in Missouri Safe Haven Baby Box

A baby girl was surrendered recently in a Safe Haven Baby Box in Mehlville, Missouri, which is the second time that particular baby box has been used for an infant surrender.

Key Takeaways:

• A newborn girl was surrendered on August 10 in a Safe Haven Baby Box in St. Louis, Missouri.

• Safe Haven Baby Boxes provide a safe option for parents who wish to surrender a child anonymously, per their state’s safe haven laws.

• Missouri law allows the surrender of infants up to 45 days old.

The Details:

According to a press release from the Mehlville Fire Protection District, the child was placed inside the Safe Haven Baby Box at Mehlville Fire House 2 in Saint Louis at about 2:30pm on August 10. Crews immediately responded to take care of the healthy infant girl, who was transported for evaluation and care. She is now in the custody of the Missouri Department of Social Services.

The baby is the second to be surrendered at this location’s baby box since its installation in August 2023; the first baby box surrender occurred in February 2024.

The Safe Haven Baby Box organization places temperature-controlled boxes in facilities like fire stations or hospitals around the country. The boxes allow parents who feel unable to parent their children to surrender their babies safely and anonymously, per their state’s safe haven law.

Once the child is inside, a silent alarm alerts medical personnel and they retrieve the baby within minutes. The baby is then  placed with either a foster or adoptive family, depending on state law.

Missouri law allows the surrender of infants up to 45 days old, without prosecution.

The Bottom Line:

In a Facebook post, the Mehlville Fire Protection District thanked the parents for ensuring the well-being of the child. “We understand this decision is never easy, and we are deeply grateful to her parents for choosing a safe option and entrusting us with her care,” the organization wrote.

Brian Hendricks, Fire Chief of the Mehlville Fire Protection District, emphasized the important role that Safe Haven Baby Boxes can play in the community.

“This event reinforces the importance of having resources like the Safe Haven Baby Box in our community,” Hendricks said. “It’s about protecting our most vulnerable residents and giving them the best chance for a healthy future.”

Safe Haven Baby Boxes also provides a confidential National Safe Haven Hotline, 1-866-99BABY1, offering free counseling and info on safe surrender options.

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