Monica Kelsey, the founder of Safe Haven Baby Box, talks to a crowd of about 60 people Friday, Aug. 30, during an unveiling of a baby box at fire station No. 2 in Warsaw. InkFreeNews photos by Dan Spalding.

WARSAW — Community leaders and supporters of the right-to-life movement welcomed the arrival of a Safe Haven Baby Box in Warsaw Friday morning, Aug. 30.

The newest box is at Fire Station No. 2 in Warsaw and marks the second opening of a box in Kosciusko County in recent weeks. Another was unveiled at Turkey Creek Fire Station No. 2 in Syracuse earlier this month.

Planning and installation of the box with officials at Safe Haven Baby Box, Woodburn, took more than a year after funding was quickly secured through private donations.

The box provides a safe and anonymous way for mothers of newborns to give up custody without the threat of criminal prosecution.

About 60 people attended the “blessing of the box” ceremony Friday.

The box is on the west side of the fire station and has numerous safeguards including regular monitoring and alerts that are sounded if somebody places a baby inside the box.

Monica Kelsey, the founder of Safe Haven Baby Box, said they are working on 40 more boxes in Indiana and a handful of other states. She said the program is gaining momentum. Six babies have been surrendered through the program in Indiana this year.

A view of the baby box from inside the fire station.

“This box represents no shame, no blame, and no name,” Kelsey said. “We can help you, we will love you and we will never judge you.”

Kelsey was abandoned by her birth mother, a decision that fueled her desire to help new mothers have options when questioning whether they want to keep their baby.

“I don’t ever want a child to feel unwanted or unloved. Every child in this country is wanted by someone. We just have to find those parents who have been praying for a child for a long time,” Kelsey said.

Numerous speakers, including Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory Fire Chief Michael Wilson and Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer, thanked the community for stepping up to support the effort.

Two pastors offered prayers for the box.

Thallemer said the box represents a positive way to create good options.

“Here’s a tangible way that we can save lives,” Thallemer said.

Those supporting the project financially included the Greater Warsaw Ministerial Association, New Life Christian Church, Warsaw Knights of Columbus, Right To Life of North Central Indiana, Raise The Dough and $9,000 that was provided in the name of Mary Louise Lowe, a founding member of Right To Life of North Central Indiana who passed away earlier this year.

Dave Koontz, executive director of Right To Life of North Central Indiana, said it was a privilege to be part of the Safe Haven Baby Box.

“Many of us in Kosciusko County want to make sure that any mother in crisis realizes she doesn’t have to abandon her baby,” he said.

Koontz and other speakers thanked Kristi Ormsby for leading a fundraising campaign that quickly netted $5,000 of the $10,000 needed.

“Not only did she fundraise, but she was also very involved behind the scenes to make this a reality — this box and others,” Koontz said.

Indiana’s Safe Haven Law allows people to anonymously surrender their healthy newborn without fear of criminal prosecution. 

The Safe Haven Baby Box organization staffs a 24-hour National Crisis hotline (1-866-99BABY1) to give women the opportunity to talk to a trained licensed professional as they consider safely surrendering their newborn. 

Kristi Ormsby (L) and Monica Kelsey, founder of Safe Haven Baby Box, share a light moment at Friday’s ceremony. Ormsby was credited for launching a fundraiser to support the installation of the box.