Westfield installs a baby box, making it Indiana’s 127th safe surrender box

Westfield, Indiana – Westfield will welcome a new baby box, the 127th in the state of Indiana and the 239th in the nation.

A blessing to commemorate the installation of Indiana’s newest baby box is scheduled for Monday, June 17 at 1 p.m., according to the nonprofit organization Safe Haven Baby Boxes, which was created in 2015. With the help of the new baby box, mothers will have a discreet place to turn in their infants without worrying about facing legal consequences.

“We are very happy to provide our second box here in the city of Westfield that may allow a mother in crisis an anonymous location to safely surrender their baby,” said Rob Gaylor, fire chief at the Westfield Fire Department.

The recently constructed baby box is accessible around the clock at 17001 Ditch Road, Westfield Fire Department Station 81.

“We have seen time and time again that preparation can save and change lives,” said Monica Kelsey, founder of Safe Haven. “Mothers in crisis need to know that they have options because we never know when or where we will be needed.” I am grateful for local advocates who take our mission to their community.”

The announcement states that since 2017, 49 babies have been turned in at baby boxes across the nation. More than 150 handoff surrenders have also been facilitated by the nonprofit’s National Safe Haven Crisis line. You can access that private hotline at 1-866-99BABY1.