Mother surrenders newborn to staff at hospital in Indiana using Safe Haven Baby Box

MARION, Ind. (WPTA/Gray News) - A mother in Indiana safely surrendered her newborn using a Safe Haven Baby Box.

According to Safe Haven Baby Boxes, the exchange happened in June, with the woman handing the newborn to staff at its Marion General Hospital location.

The organization said the baby is now in the care of the Indiana Department of Child Services and will be placed with a family through the state’s established adoption process.

“We are grateful this mother trusted our program on one of the hardest days of her life to keep her baby safe,” founder Monica Kelsey said. “When communities are prepared for safe surrender, vulnerable members of those communities are protected.”

Kelsey founded the organization in 2017 to prevent infant abandonment by offering anonymous, judgment-free options.

Since 2017, 83 infants have been safely surrendered via Baby Boxes, and over 200 additional safe surrenders have been facilitated through the organization’s hotline.

There are nearly 400 Baby Boxes across the country, and the Safe Haven Baby Boxes Crisis Hotline (1-866-99BABY1) is available 24/7.