Franklin Fire Department Installs Safe Haven Baby Box
FRANKLIN, Ind. — The 69th Safe Haven Baby Box will be unveiled Wednesday at Franklin Fire Station #22.
It is Indiana’s 60th Safe Haven Baby Box.
The box will be available to the public following the community unveiling at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes allow a mother to surrender her newborn with 100% anonymity. The box has many features, including heating and cooling components, an alarm system to alert firefighters to the presence of a baby, and a soft white light.
The Franklin Township Advisory Board funded the entire Baby Box project for the city of Franklin.
“We know there are individuals out there that are unable to care for their newborn and that is why we are proud to offer a safe option for surrendering your child. It is important for individuals making this decision to know they are making a selfless and brave decision for their infant,” said Mayor Steve Barnett.
Another baby box will be unveiled Wednesday at the Martinsville Fire Department on Morgan Street.
To date, 11 infants have been placed in Baby Boxes. Babies surrendered in Indiana under the Safe Haven Law are taken into custody by the Department of Child Services and often placed with their adoptive family within 30 days.
