Safe Haven Baby Box Unveiled in Lawrenceburg, Jefferson Co. Commissioners Update on Baby Boxes In The County

Eight infants have been placed in a Safe Haven Baby Box, with four occurring in 2020.

Outside and inside look at the Safe Haven Baby Box at the Lawrenceburg Fire Department. Photos by Travis Thayer, Eagle Country 99.3. 

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) – Just yesterday, the City of Lawrenceburg unveiled a new Safe Haven Baby Box.

This box is located at the Lawrenceburg Fire Department on West Tate Street, in downtown Lawrenceburg.

The Safe Haven Law allows a person to surrender a healthy newborn 30 days old or younger without fear of criminal prosecution. Indiana is one of five states with updates Safe Haven laws that offer completely anonymous options in an effort to eliminate infant abandonment.

Eight infants have been placed in a Safe Haven Baby Box, with four occurring in 2020.

Baby Boxes are temperature-controlled and once opened a silent alarm sets off that notifies 9-1-1 once the infant is placed in the medical bassinet. A camera comes on as well that monitors the baby until it is retrieved inside of the building, usually within minutes.

With this installment of the baby box in Lawrenceburg, the Jefferson County Commissioners have announced that they are still in support of having a Safe Haven Box installed.

Currently, the Commissioners are in the process of working out a location and solution where the appropriate medical care will be available for the newborn baby.

“We realize there are some concerns on the progress with this effort, however, we are evaluating the potential liabilities for Jefferson County if a Safe Haven Baby Box were installed at a County facility and are working on a resolution that provides the appropriate medical care for the baby and addresses the potential liability,” stated the Commissioners.