MADISON, Ala. — The first Safe Haven Baby Box in Alabama opened at Madison Fire Station 1 two weeks ago, and that box has now been used for the very first time in Alabama.
On Monday afternoon, a newborn baby was placed in the baby box, and this is how it works. On the outside of the Fire Station building there is a door. Once the door opens and the baby is placed inside, the door will lock and the station firefighters will take it from there.
According to Madison firefighters, once the door closed and the alarm sounded, firefighters responded within two minutes. First responders say the baby was in good health and taken to Madison Hospital.
Monica Kelsey with Safe Haven Baby Boxes believes there is only one word to sum up her emotions in this moment, grateful. "Your child is safe, your child is healthy, and the process is already working to make sure that the process of finding your baby a home is worked."
The original Alabama's Safe Haven law gave people 72 hours to safely surrender at a hospital, but Kids to Love Founder and CEO Lee Marshall said one of the things they were adamant about was adding the additional 45 days. "We felt like we needed to give women a chance to learn and to really understand themselves and their limits if they're ready to be a mom, but just not to be a parent. And that's a fine line that has absolutely no shame whatsoever."
Alabama DHR ultimately takes responsibility for the child. A spokesperson with the department said, "When a baby is surrendered in a baby safety device, the child must be taken to a local hospital for evaluation and the local county DHR must be notified. DHR takes immediate care, custody and control of the infant. DHR will then follow its process to find a proper placement for the child."
Fire Chief Dave Bailey recalls that moment on Monday afternoon. "That day I was here, it was an afternoon are we all were a little bit surprised by this beautiful little healthy baby. We were able to definitely do a good assessment of the baby. We were able to transport the baby."