Press Release

ELKHART — The first Indiana surrenders of 2023 via a Safe Haven Baby Box occurred back-to-back.

A baby was surrendered at the Cleveland Township Baby Box in Elkhart and then less than 48 hours later a baby was surrendered at Wayne Township Fire Station’s baby box in Indianapolis. Kentucky and Florida have each had one newborn saved via a Baby Box this year as well. Currently, 2023 is on pace to break the record for surrenders. Last year, eight newborns were surrendered via Baby Box. There are 96 Baby Box locations across the state of Indiana and 136 Baby Boxes in the nation.

“We are very blessed that these mothers chose to lovingly and legally surrender their infant,” said Monica Kelsey, founder of Safe Haven Baby Boxes. “It is an act of sacrificial love for the best interest of the infant. These babies are so loved and are an answered prayer for adoptive families that will eagerly add them to their family. We work tirelessly to educate citizens on Safe Haven Law and create positive headlines rather than heartbreaking headlines where lives are destroyed and lost. Our organization is succeeding at protecting vulnerable women and their infants by being proactive rather than reactive.”

Linda Znachko, He Knows Your Name founder, is an avid supporter of the Safe Haven Baby Box organization. Her non-profit gives abandoned babies a proper funeral and offers resources to families suffering from infant and child loss. The footprint featured in Safe Haven Baby Boxes’ logo is in honor of Baby Amelia, who was adopted by Znachko. On Dec. 28, 2014, Baby Amelia was found abandoned at Eagle Creek Park wrapped inside a Vincennes University sweatshirt.

“The strategic placement of this box here in Wayne Township is a sign of redemption for this community,” said Znachko. “Abandonment is criminal, and this box is saving lives.”

Cleveland Township Fire Chief Mark Travis said the Baby Box worked exactly as it was designed to.

“Cleveland Township Fire Department is grateful that we were able to provide a safe venue and opportunity for a parent to safely surrender their infant,” said Travis. “I am proud of the firefighters for their quick response and professionalism in dealing with this anonymous, lifesaving decision made by this parent.”

The same sentiments were shared by Wayne Township Fire Department.

“We are happy to report that our Safe Haven Box received a surrendered child last week,” said Captain Eric Banister, Wayne Township Fire’s public information officer. “The system worked smoothly for the mother, the child, and the first responders that received the newborn. Seeing this valuable program work as designed, we encourage anyone in crisis to utilize this safe and legal service.”

Twenty-six infants have been placed in a Baby Box since November 2017. Nationwide, 125 surrenders have resulted from calling the National Safe Haven Hotline, 1 (866) 99BABY1. In 2022, a record eight newborns were surrendered via a Baby Box.