Baby box site opens in Siloam Springs, Arkansas for mothers who can leave newborns
In Arkansas, a mother or anyone can surrender a newborn baby old to medical, law enforcement or fire department personnel without facing prosecution.
A safe place to leave a baby has been built in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. It is the 18th site to open in Arkansas through the nonprofit Safe Haven Baby Boxes, which is based in Indiana. There is a baby box in Fort Smith at Fire Station No. 11, 8900 Massard Road.
A baby box was opened Sunday at the Siloam Springs Fire Department. City officials gathered around a big red ribbon in the fire station for the opening.
"This is a box designed for new moms who are in crisis, who feel like they can't take care of their babies, so they can surrender their baby here anonymously and we can promise you your baby will be well taken care of," said Sylvia Aimerito from AudioGirls Ministries, who spoke at a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
On the door of the box are instructions in both English and Spanish.
"Please do not open door unless you are in need of services," a sign on the front reads in black lettering. A silent alarm will activate, the sign says. A telephone number is on it for the Safe Haven Crisis Line, 1-866-99BABY1, it reads.
Under the Arkansas Safe Haven Law, an infant up to 30 days old can be left with authorities at a hospital, police or fire station without fear of prosecution. The baby box allows for the mother to remain anonymous.
Siloam Springs Fire Chief Jeremey Criner said the baby box is climate-controlled, and is built into the wall of the building. There are no cameras on the person who leaves a baby in it. An alarm will go off to alert authorities. A door locks once it is closed.
"You see news stories all the time of someone leaving a baby or a child in a dumpster or a trash can and this is a safe alternative to that," Criner said.
Criner said there are 17 other baby boxes in Arkansas in central parts of the state and in Rogers and Springdale in northwest Arkansas. The closest baby box to the west is at an Oklahoma City fire station.
After the law allowed for babies to be dropped off at fire stations, Criner said the group AudioGirl Ministries, state Rep. Delia Haak of District 17 and the Rev. Tim Estes, pastor at New Life Church, contacted him about adding a baby box at the Siloam Springs station, 1450 Cheri Whitlock Drive, if it could be maintained. Criner said he agreed to the cause. A baby box blessing was held Sunday.
In Arkansas, baby boxes are at:
Benton Fire Station No. 3, 2717 Edison Ave.
Benton Fire Station No. 6, 12700 I-30 N.
Conway Fire Station No. 1, 1401 Caldwell St.
El Dorado Fire Department, Station No. 2, 1403 East Hillsboro
Fort Smith Fire Station No. 11 at 8900 Massard Road
Howard Memorial Hospital, 130 Medical Circle, Nashville, Arkansas
Magnolia Fire Department, 206 N Jackson
Sevier County Medical Center, De Queen, Arkansas
Baxter Regional Health Center, 624 Hospital Drive, Mountain Home
Jacksonville Fire Station No. 3, 2500 John Harden Drive
Hot Springs Central Fire Station, 310 Broadway St.
Cabot Fire Department Central Station, 1000 S. Second St.
In Oklahoma, a baby box is at Oklahoma City Fire Station #21 at 3000 SW 29.
The number for the Safe Haven Baby Crisis Line is 1-866-992-2291, or 1-866-99BABY1.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: A baby box is now open in Siloam Springs, Arkansas
