Newborn saved by ‘Safe Haven’ baby box in Mehlville

Joe Millitzer
·2 min read

MEHLVILLE, Mo. – A newborn girl has been safely placed in a Safe Haven Baby Box at Mehlville District’s Fire Station #2 on Feb. 8. The baby girl is now safe. These boxes aim to prevent the unsafe abandonment of newborns, offering a life-saving alternative.

Installed on August 8, 2023, this is the first Safe Haven Baby Box in the Mehlville District. It’s designed as a secure and legal option for mothers in crisis. The box features a temperature-controlled incubator within the fire station’s wall. It lets mothers leave their newborns anonymously. Once a baby is placed inside, the door locks automatically. This gives the mother time to leave before anyone inside is alerted.

Monica Kelsey, founder and CEO of Safe Haven Baby Boxes, said the mother made a courageous decision.

“I know that this does not come without pain. We may never know your story, but let me just tell you how many people love you, how many people have been praying for you, and it would be an honor to allow us to walk alongside you,” Kelsey said.

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Mehlville Fire District responders quickly cared for the baby upon discovery. They took her to a hospital for further checks.

“We knew the value of these boxes in Missouri, and we are thankful it was there for this mother when she needed it,” Rep. Murphy, R-St. Louis, states. “The mother’s courageous decision to utilize the Safe Haven Baby Box is a testament to the impact of these life-saving initiatives.”

This represents a significant accomplishment under the law that Governor Mike Parson signed on July 15, 2021. This is the first child that this baby box has saved. Representative Murphy dedicated three years to developing and advocating for this legislation.

State Representative Jim Murphy’s office did not elaborate on what’s next for the newborn.

“This journey hasn’t ended; it’s just beginning,” he said. “I always thought when we put this box in that I hoped it was never necessary that anybody would have to use it… I am so absolutely taken back at how important it was that this box was here when it was needed.”

There are over 200 Safe Haven Baby Boxes across 15 states in the country.

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