A new emergency service is continuing to receive updates in Rowan County. Officials said a Safe Haven Baby Box, which was announced to be coming to the community last year, is still pending installation.
Jason Slone, President and CEO of the Morehead-Rowan County Chamber of Commerce, said the box will be ready for use soon.
“We have issued a check to Safe Haven to go ahead and start contracting that box. That will be shipped and arrive here in Morehead in about six to seven weeks. Roughly a $16,000 payment that was issued to them,” said Slone.
The baby box will be installed at Rowan County EMS Station 1 on American Legion Way because of its discreet location. Once used, an alarm will sound and emergency personnel on site will immediately ensure the baby’s safety. Slone said the box is a last resort.
“When a mother feels that she is overwhelmed, she can no longer take care of a newborn child, to be able to safely and responsibly surrender that child. Immediately upon surrendering to the box it notifies our fire, police, or EMS,” said Slone.
In Kentucky, infants must be 30 days or younger to be surrendered. Parents who feel they must surrender their child are anonymous and free of any legal prosecution. Officials said they hope the box will be used rarely, but having the crisis support in place can provide better outcomes for children and parents.