Iowa’s first Safe Haven Baby Box now available in Fort Dodge
A new installation could save more lives in Fort Dodge. It's a Safe Haven Baby Box that allows parents to safely surrender their newborn babies.
"Every three days, there is a baby that dies or a baby that is barely alive that is found and that has to stop," Monica Kelsey said.
Kelsey is a retired fighter and ex-military medic who created the baby box concept.
A parent can anonymously drop off a newborn at the fire station using a special outside door. It’s placed in a bed under a special heater. There's also a camera that dispatchers can use to see the baby.
After a minute, an alarm goes off and the 911 dispatcher alerts the first responders that a baby has arrived. It’s taken to the hospital for further care and possible adoption.
"It is unusual and unique to Iowa. But it's right to the core of our mission helping people in crisis and help saving lives," Fort Dodge Fire Chief Steve Hergenreter said.
Kelsey says she feels strongly about her invention after her mother was raped and became pregnant 50 years ago.
"She gave birth in April of 1973 and abandoned her child two hours after that child was born, and that child was me," Kelsey said.
Now, there are more than 170 across the country, saving lives every day.
A will now allow people to give up their baby anonymously through a newborn safety device at places staffed 24/7 with first responders.
The Iowa HHS says more than 60 children have been declared safe havens since the law was enacted in 2002.
The Safe Haven Crisis Line is available 24/7 at 1-866-99BABY1 (1-866-992-2291).
