First Safe Haven Baby Box coming to Mobile — here’s what it is

UPDATE (Sept. 4, 9:28 p.m.): Mobile and state leaders attended Wednesday’s dedication for Mobile’s first Safe Haven Baby Box.

Previous Alabama state law allowed the surrounding of babies within the first three days of birth. In 2023, a bill was approved by lawmakers, expanding to 45 days.

Alabama’s original infant surrender law was passed in 2000.

The “Safe Haven” originated in Indiana. Now, the baby box system has over 250 boxes across 19 states in the United States.

USA Health Children’s and Women’s Hospital CEO Debbie Browning said she and staff are prepared in case a baby is to be placed.

“We make sure we meet any needs that they might have health-wise,” Browning said. “And then we involve our social services department, to make sure that we’re beginning to look at what appropriate placement might be for that child.”

There will soon be a second Safe Haven Baby Box in Mobile, which will be located at the Crichton Fire Station.

ORIGINAL STORY:

MOBILE, Ala. ( WKRG ) — Mothers who want to surrender their newborn will soon be able to do so anonymously in Mobile. The first Safe Haven Baby Box will be installed at USA Health’s Children’s and Women’s Hospital.

Are you wondering who would want to give up their baby? Here are some situations that might make it seem like the only option.

“Maybe she’s in a bad situation and doesn’t know how to get out of it,” State Rep. Donna Givens (R-District 64) said. “She can safely place this baby in a box anonymously, and no one will ever know that it was her baby. No one will ever know who the mother is.”

Givens, from Baldwin County, specifically Loxley, has been the driving force behind the baby boxes. She sponsored the bill that went into effect in 2023.

Once a baby is placed into the box, an alarm goes off, and the hospital will immediately come to get the baby.

Givens says boxes have already been installed in Madison and Prattville, with the one in Madison being used three times since being installed in January.

“And then it’s giving a baby a home where the baby can be loved,” Givens said. “You know, it just, I can tear up right now talking about it because I’m so passionate about this.”

The Safe Haven Baby Box law helps expand the Secret Safe Place for Newborns.

Previously, if someone wanted to surrender a baby, they had to go in face-to-face to hand over the baby within 72 hours. This law gives the mother 45 days to make the decision.

Givens explained Mobile would have two boxes, and Foley would have one.

The ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, at USA Health’s Children’s and Women’s Hospital.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.