City of Belen moves forward with new standard operating procedure for baby box

BELEN, N.M. (KRQE) – Belen city councilors approved procedures for the baby box the city unveiled last year. Those rules are aimed at ensuring that whoever surrenders the baby, is left completely anonymous. “This is about providing a safe, anonymous surrender of a child,” said City of Belen Mayor, Robert Noblin.

Back in October, the City of Belen announced the opening of the state’s fourth baby box ; and last week, city council approved new procedures for mothers surrendering their babies.

“My concern is the baby,” said City of Belen Fire Chief, Charles Cox. “As long as the baby is fine, that’s what we’re worrying about. The other opponents, if they want to argue back in forth, that’s up to them. That’s not the job of the fire department.”

When asked if the new guidelines will require Belen’s Fire Department to disclose any information about who dropped the child off, city officials said no- and that they have no obligation to give that information. Baby boxes have been a controversy in the state.

Local governments claim they only have a duty to keep the child safe, but the New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department (CYFD), said they are required by law to investigate the drop-off.

“There’s a disconnect between the Safe Haven laws and the CYFD policies and procedures,” Noblin explained. “I think that’s something that will really need to be looked at and addressed as these boxes become more prevalent.”

Chief Cox said when the baby box is opened, and a child is surrendered, an alarm will notify local fire dispatch, and emergency medical services (EMS). “The door has been opened; the beam has been broken, saying that there is a baby in there,” Chief Cox said.

It is then up to the fire department to check if the child is healthy and provide any immediate medical attention if needed. If the child is in good health, they deliver them to a nearby hospital- no questions are asked. “We will not know who dropped the baby off,” Chief Cox added.

City of Belen officials said an Albuquerque city councilor is interested in bringing those baby boxes to the metro. It’s unclear if and when that could happen.

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