Officials said a crisis response system recently implemented in Montgomery County has received its first blessing.
The Montgomery County Fire Safe Haven Baby Box has received its first use. Officials with Montgomery County Emergency Management said a healthy infant was safely surrendered to the baby box system on June 17. Firefighters immediately responded to secure the child and bring them safely to a hospital.
Chris Haddix, Montgomery County Judge Executive, announced the box’s usage alongside other officials. He said the safe and seamless surrender would not have been possible without support from many forces across the community.
“Trusting our first responders, our dispatchers, and our social workers, our people at the hospital, the staff there. Everybody did their job, and they did it well. So, thank you all for doing that,” said Haddix.
The box, provided by Safe Haven Baby Boxes (SHBB), provides parents a last-resort option to anonymously and safely leave their child in the hands of authorities. Montgomery County first received its baby box in April.
Monica Kelsey is the founder and CEO of SHBB. She said the parent’s decision was noble and will help ensure the young child will have a safe and happy upbringing.
“This child wasn’t abandoned. This child was lovingly, legally, anonymously, and safely surrendered to this fire department,” said Kelsey. “And so today, we honor her love for this child and for what she has done, to give this child a better life.”
According to Kentucky’s Safe Infants Act, a parent can surrender their child younger than 30 days with officials at a safe location like hospitals, police or fire stations, and EMS facilities, all without the threat of legal punishment.
More information on baby boxes is available online at shbb.org.