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Bridget Sielicki
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Human Interest·By Bridget Sielicki
Knoxville Safe Haven Baby Box sees third infant surrender since installation
The Knoxville Fire Department (KFD) in Tennessee announced that a healthy baby was surrendered in its Safe Haven Baby Box on Tuesday evening, marking the third time the box has been utilized since its installation in 2023.
An infant was safely surrendered in a Safe Haven Baby Box in Knoxville, Tennessee, on October 20.
A spokesperson said the infant "appeared to be in excellent health."
Tennessee law allows the surrender of infants 45 days or younger.
Safe haven laws provide an option for parents in crisis, in an effort to curtail infant abandonments.
The safe surrender happened at the Knoxville Fire Department's Station 17 on Western Avenue on October 20.
In a news release, KFD spokesperson Tim Woods said that after receiving the alert, three crew members responded and found the newborn in the box, who "appeared to be in excellent health." The child was transported to a local hospital for evaluation, per protocol. He or she will enter into the foster care system and be placed for adoption. (Each state has its own protocol regarding infant surrender, foster care, and adoption.)
According to Woods, other babies surrendered via the state's safe haven law have been adopted quickly.
Tennessee law allows mothers to surrender infants 45 days or younger to designated facilities. As long as the infant is unharmed, there is no threat of prosecution and a guarantee of confidentiality.
The state has a hotline, 1-866-699-SAFE, which mothers can call to learn more about their options.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes are a valuable resource for parents who feel unable to care for their infants, but want to ensure they are placed in safe and caring homes. The boxes, which allow for parent anonymity in accordance with the law, help to prevent infant abandonments.
Monica Kelsey, founder of the Safe Haven Baby Boxes organization, was left in a hospital as an infant after her 17-year-old mother refused an abortion. Her mission to help mothers in crisis and save babies began after a trip to South Africa, where she saw similar baby box devices being used.
She's said of her mission: "This is all Jesus saying to me, 'I've equipped you and I've called you for such a time as this.'" She added:
"I stand on the front lines of this movement as one of these kids that wasn't lovingly and legally anonymously and safely surrendered in a safe haven baby box but now I've dedicated my life... to give birth moms today the opportunity to keep their child safe."
Live Action News is pro-life news and commentary from a pro-life perspective.
Our work is possible because of our donors. Please consider giving to further our work of changing hearts and minds on issues of life and human dignity.
Contact editor@liveaction.org for questions, corrections, or if you are seeking permission to reprint any Live Action News content.
Guest Articles: To submit a guest article to Live Action News, email editor@liveaction.org with an attached Word document of 800-1000 words. Please also attach any photos relevant to your submission if applicable. If your submission is accepted for publication, you will be notified within three weeks. Guest articles are not compensated (see our Open License Agreement). Thank you for your interest in Live Action News!
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·Human Interest·By Bridget Sielicki
Knoxville Safe Haven Baby Box sees third infant surrender since installation
The Knoxville Fire Department (KFD) in Tennessee announced that a healthy baby was surrendered in its Safe Haven Baby Box on Tuesday evening, marking the third time the box has been utilized since its installation in 2023.
An infant was safely surrendered in a Safe Haven Baby Box in Knoxville, Tennessee, on October 20.
A spokesperson said the infant "appeared to be in excellent health."
Tennessee law allows the surrender of infants 45 days or younger.
Safe haven laws provide an option for parents in crisis, in an effort to curtail infant abandonments.
The safe surrender happened at the Knoxville Fire Department's Station 17 on Western Avenue on October 20.
In a news release, KFD spokesperson Tim Woods said that after receiving the alert, three crew members responded and found the newborn in the box, who "appeared to be in excellent health." The child was transported to a local hospital for evaluation, per protocol. He or she will enter into the foster care system and be placed for adoption. (Each state has its own protocol regarding infant surrender, foster care, and adoption.)
According to Woods, other babies surrendered via the state's safe haven law have been adopted quickly.
Tennessee law allows mothers to surrender infants 45 days or younger to designated facilities. As long as the infant is unharmed, there is no threat of prosecution and a guarantee of confidentiality.
The state has a hotline, 1-866-699-SAFE, which mothers can call to learn more about their options.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes are a valuable resource for parents who feel unable to care for their infants, but want to ensure they are placed in safe and caring homes. The boxes, which allow for parent anonymity in accordance with the law, help to prevent infant abandonments.
Monica Kelsey, founder of the Safe Haven Baby Boxes organization, was left in a hospital as an infant after her 17-year-old mother refused an abortion. Her mission to help mothers in crisis and save babies began after a trip to South Africa, where she saw similar baby box devices being used.
She's said of her mission: "This is all Jesus saying to me, 'I've equipped you and I've called you for such a time as this.'" She added:
"I stand on the front lines of this movement as one of these kids that wasn't lovingly and legally anonymously and safely surrendered in a safe haven baby box but now I've dedicated my life... to give birth moms today the opportunity to keep their child safe."
Live Action News is pro-life news and commentary from a pro-life perspective.
Our work is possible because of our donors. Please consider giving to further our work of changing hearts and minds on issues of life and human dignity.
Contact editor@liveaction.org for questions, corrections, or if you are seeking permission to reprint any Live Action News content.
Guest Articles: To submit a guest article to Live Action News, email editor@liveaction.org with an attached Word document of 800-1000 words. Please also attach any photos relevant to your submission if applicable. If your submission is accepted for publication, you will be notified within three weeks. Guest articles are not compensated (see our Open License Agreement). Thank you for your interest in Live Action News!
Bridget Sielicki
·Human Interest
Bridget Sielicki
·Human Interest
Bridget Sielicki
·Human Interest
Lisa Bast
·Guest Column
Valerie Abraham
·Human Interest
Nancy Flanders
·Human Interest
Bridget Sielicki
·Human Interest
Bridget Sielicki
·International
Bridget Sielicki
·International
Bridget Sielicki
·International
Bridget Sielicki
·