Safe Haven Baby Box used for first time in Alabama

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The Safe Haven Baby Box in the state of Alabama was used for the first time on Monday afternoon.
Published: Jan. 24, 2024 at 3:02 PM CST|Updated: Jan. 25, 2024 at 12:12 PM CST
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MADISON, Ala. (WAFF) - The Safe Haven Baby Box in the state of Alabama was used for the first time on Monday afternoon.

According to the Kids to Love Foundation, a private adoption agency in Alabama and Tennessee, a mother placed her newborn daughter in the Safe Haven box at the Madison Fire Department, just 13 days after the box was installed.

Madison firefighters were able to respond quickly once the door closed and alarm sounded. The baby was reported to be in good health and taken to Madison Hospital. Kids to Love became a strong advocate for Alabama’s Safe Haven law and the legislature has expanded the law.

The law previously limited the age of a child given up to 72 hours after birth. The baby also had to be taken to a licensed emergency department.

The child can now be up to 45 days old and mothers can also give them to fire stations with around-the-clock staff.

The Safe Haven boxes allow mothers to bring their child to fire stations through anonymity.

“We knew there was a need for these boxes in Alabama,” said Kids to Love Founder and CEO Lee Marshall.

“This mother made a difficult and courageous decision when she placed her child in Madison’s Safe Haven Baby Box. We are thankful it was there for her when she needed it.

The only baby boxes currently operating in the state are in Madison and Prattville. While Tuscaloosa, Opelika and Gadsden are all undergoing the process of having an operational baby box.

The three baby boxes are being funded thanks to a partnership with Torch Technologies and Freedom Real Estate.

For more information about Kids to Love, click here.

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