Iowa’s second “baby box” was launched on Tuesday in Des Moines. MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center staff gathered to bless the new Iowa Safe Haven Baby Box, located in the center’s concrete wall in a private alley near its west entrance.
The “baby box” allows Iowa parents to anonymously surrender a baby up to 90 days old at any time, in accordance with the state’s Safe Haven Act. Iowa’s first “baby box” opened in Fort Dodge last year.
“This aligns perfectly with our mission to ensure all babies are safe and provide families with a viable option,” said Dr. Jessica Zuzga-Reed, Medical Director of MercyOne Children’s Hospital. Her team will oversee the box’s operations. “It’s a difficult decision, and having a private space like this is a wonderful idea.”
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services reported that 10 infants were surrendered in 2023.
Zuzga-Reed noted that the project has been in development for over a year, involving local churches and community members. Mount Calvary Church and Gloria Dei Lutheran Church contributed to the box’s funding. Additionally, InnerVisions, a faith-based health care provider, has agreed to cover maintenance costs.
According to Mariah Betz, assistant project coordinator for Safe Haven Baby Boxes, there are over 270 such boxes across the U.S. The initiative began in 2015 in Indiana and aims to prevent the illegal abandonment of newborns by providing education and access to these boxes.
The climate-controlled “baby box” features a 2-foot-wide opening and a clear plastic medical bassinet inside. When a baby is placed inside, a silent alarm is triggered, alerting a rapid response team and locking the door. Plexiglass on the opposite side of the box allows staff to retrieve the baby safely.
Iowa’s first “baby box” opened at the Fort Dodge Fire Department in October 2023, but no infants have been surrendered there since its opening.
“It’s always positive to see another baby box installed,” Betz stated. “It provides women with a safe, loving, and completely anonymous option for surrendering their babies.”
Once a baby is placed in the box, a team of nurses, backed by physicians, is ready to respond. Zuzga-Reed explained that internal alarms notify the medical team, who then transport the baby to the emergency room for a full assessment.
Afterwards, MercyOne contacts the Iowa Department of Human Services to arrange the next steps for the infant. The rapid response team is composed of MercyOne staff.
According to Maria Nelson, market director for women’s and children’s services at MercyOne Children’s Hospital, part of the Safe Haven law requires notifying DHS when a baby is brought to the emergency department.
The Iowa Safe Haven Act allows parents or authorized individuals to surrender an infant up to 90 days old without the fear of prosecution for abandonment. This law, enacted in 2002, is mirrored in some form by all states.
Zuzga-Reed explained that the box’s location was chosen to ensure privacy for parents. “We conducted research and worked with Safe Haven Boxes. It became clear that placing the box near public entrances might deter families from using it,” she said. “With a lot of glass on our exterior, we needed to find a wall that provided more privacy.”
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