LEBANON, Ohio — The Lebanon Division of Police responded Monday after an infant girl was safely placed in the Safe Haven Baby Box at Fire Station 41.
The Safe Haven Baby Box allows mothers to anonymously and safely surrender their babies without fear of prosecution. According to Monica Kelsey, the founder of Safe Haven Baby Boxes, this was the first baby to be surrendered in an Ohio box since the program began.
Upon receiving an alarm from the box, emergency crews located the baby inside. The infant was then transported by the Lebanon Fire Department to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, following the established protocol.
The Safe Haven Baby Box is equipped with three alarms: one on the door, one inside the box, and one within the case, ensuring constant monitoring. Ohio law requires these boxes to be supervised at all times. The Lebanon box was opened in 2023.
Kelsey stated that as long as the baby is unharmed and under 30 days old, the parent who leaves the child is protected from prosecution.
In a statement to WLWT, Kelsey expressed gratitude to the mother, saying, “I want to tell this mother thank you. Thank you for keeping your child safe and thank you for trusting the Lebanon Fire Department and Safe Haven Baby Boxes to take it from here.”
After being evaluated at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, the infant will be placed in a foster-to-adopt program. Kelsey explained that babies in this program are usually adopted quickly, unlike traditional foster care.
Related Topics:
