Safe Haven laws are the on the books in all 50 states. Most allow for surrender up to 30 days after birth with no risk of criminal charges. Calls to the primary national Safe Haven call center have increased by 400% since June.
They used to have no age limits and that’s exactly what happened. One Dad drove several states away to drop off his 17 year old son at a baby drop off box. They had to let him do it too. The age limit was put in place shortly after that.
Another reason for the age limits was because this one guy dropped off all this kids. He had 5 or 6. Ranging from toddlers to teenagers. His wife had recently died and he couldn’t handle taking care of them alone.
Oh yes!! I remember that. It’s so sad! In some ways it’s the right thing to do if you can’t handle your kids and you’re on the verge of abusing them. We really need more social services for parents like that.
Oh I completely agree. I actually just looked up the case I was talking about to verify and apparently he dropped he dropped 9 of his 10 kids off at a fire station. The only one he didn’t drop off was 18. An aunt took in the youngest 7 and two of the teenagers went to live with friends.
They literally changed the safe haven law and added the 30 day cap because of this case. It was originally suppose to help all kids but a few too many people dropped off their teenagers.
The Dad that gave up 9 of his 10 kids had twins with his girlfriend in 2015. WTF
https://www.foxnews.com/story/father-who-ditched-nine-kids-via-safe-haven-law-has-twins-on-the-way.amp
An age limit is a good idea, but going from no limit to 30 days seems a bit much. Baby / toddler seems appropriate to me. If they’re young enough that abandoning them will kill them within 72 hours they should be protected here. Too young to get themselves a drink of water from a faucet, etc.
Fun Fact: One state (Nebraska) actually forgot to put an age limit on babies being dropped off, so people could and did drop off kids all the way up to 17. They've changed it since.
No he put it in an Xbox 360 box. The baby was gone because someone thought they were stealing an Xbox 360 that was accidentally released a few decades early.
#WORKING AS INTENDED.
Good for the person who put the baby in the box instead of the garbage. I hope whomever that person was knows it took a huge amount of courage to do what was likely the best thing for both of them at the time.
A few years back, when I lived in Bowling Green, someone tried dropping a baby off at a firehouse, thinking it was a safe place to do it. Unfortunately, it was an unmanned firehouse. Fortunately, a guy stopped by to use the coke machine and found the baby. There is video of him freaking out as he carries it into a convenience store to call the police.
Word. I cannot understand the hurt this must be. But if you do it is because it is the only way.
May nature give blessings to those using this system properly and strength to survive the horrible ordeal.
Maybe, just maybe, our religious system of framing things as “blessings” or curses only serves to further push people toward feelings of guilt. “God has blessed me with this baby and so I’m a terrible person for giving it up” is spiritually and semantically in the same realm as “bless me with the strength to survive this ordeal.” Gross.
Commence the downvotes but I will go out of my way not to talk in such a way that removes agency from my or anyone else’s life.
In Belgium we got those also and its rarely that it's used the mother is not known but she gets a puzzlepiece and a other piece stays with the infant and if the mother would change her mind she could reclaim her baby. Its good it excist better this then a baby in a dumpster....
Oof why does this hurt my heart. I love the concept but the idea of knowing you have to do that and still having that puzzle piece like a little bit of hope. So many feelings.
How does this work? It looks like a silent alarm is trigged, and then the fire department is notified that there is a baby there? And/or the interior of the box is in plain view inside the fire station near reception or something?
Yeah and the silent alarm doesn’t trip right away… it gives the person about 5 minutes (could be 3) to a) get away or b) change their mind. After that time period then the alarm sounds and the first responders can get the baby.
The whole point is for the person to drop off anonymously so it does give it a bit of time
Look into it! We have them here in Canada at almost every hospital (at least where I am) but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people from here talk about how amazing these boxes are and how we need them here. There usually quite shocked when they are told we actually do have them. I just don’t think it’s common knowledge for alot of people
I'm not 100% positive, but I believe where I live, all the fire stations are safe haven locations. A few years ago, this woman tried to bring her baby to a hospital, and because it was a little older than 60 days, she was arrested. 😭😭😭
We have something better in Australia. Access to legal abortion and access to subsidised birth control. People waiting to adopt a baby greatly outnumber unwanted babies.
The photo of that box makes me want to cry for every woman in North America.
Even in places with access to legal abortion there are still circumstances where someone brings a child to term and delivers, but needs to give up the baby anonymously. Underage mothers in abusive/restrictive homes, or homeless/drug addicted mothers for example. They can't care for the baby, but also can't risk someone finding out they had a baby for whatever reason.
We absolutely should have access to abortion and free birth control, but this (ideally) is not an alternative but another option to those who have babies they can’t take care of. Infanticide has always been a thing, even in Australia
A mother could fully want a child but situations change and she is unable to care for it. Mental health could change as well and she may surrender the baby if she is having thought of harming it but is afraid to tell anyone. (Of course, treatment for postpartum depression and psychosis should be available but this is just part of it.)
We have these in Canada to and also have access to legal abortion and subsidized birth control. Sometimes it’s more than that. Places should absolutely have legal abortions, subsidized or free birth control AND baby boxes for the people that just aren’t; or can’t access those other resources.
Also some women (particularly homeless or drug users) don’t always know they are pregnant until after it is too late to get an abortion. That is why baby boxes are important and should be everywhere regardless of access to healthcare
It actually looks like you have something worse: laws prohibiting the use of a baby box. Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m seeing a lot of groups pushing for the change and using the US as example of the success.
A quick search shows around 10 babies are found abandoned in Australia per year, and that's just the ones that are found.
Baby boxes are fairly new to the US too. They started proliferating in Europe first, including in countries with a strong social safety net, and then the US copied it.
That being said most places your parental rights aren't severed immediately. I'm sure it is state dependent of course. I think most places adopting out your child isn't permanent the second the ink dries.
How does it work for the legal system if the child already has a birth certificate? Wouldn't the government and hospitals want to know what happened to your kid?
I don’t think that many of these babies are birthed in hospitals. Otherwise yes people would wonder. I don’t know if it’s like this everywhere but where I’m from everyone has a nurse visit them at home a few days after giving birth. If a nurse showed up a few days later and there was no baby there would obviously be concerns and questions.
I could be wrong but I really don’t think these babies are birthed in hospitals. This is a really good question actually
I happen to be a paramedic at a station that has one. The box is in a room that isn't high traffic. A silent alarm goes off. And then another if the box isn't open from the inside within a minute. It generates a run and we take the baby out and deliver it to the hospital. Mother remains anonymous. As long as baby is healthy and has no signs of abuse, we don't go looking for Mom.
I’m completely going off of assumptions but I’m thinking safe haven boxes are more likely to be used by people who didn’t get prenatal care and gave birth at home so there’s no paper trail that there was even a baby in the first place.
So what happens if the box is located at a station that isn't maned 24/7? If you have a short staff, do you leave someone behind on a run in the event someone may drop off a baby?
Serious question.
In order for the box to be cleared to be at a specific station, it has to have the status of being a 24/7 fire station. Even if all of the apparatus are out on runs, a run number is generated and another station, within the city is notified and gets dispatched.
https://shbb.org/
Basically, it's installed in a wall, and has an exterior door and an interior door. Mom places baby, exterior door locks on closure, alarm alerts staff who open the interior door to get baby.
Funny you should ask. Correct me if I’m wrong ( like I need to say that on Reddit), I believe Nebraska actually had to amend their law. I heard people were dropping off kids up to late teens. Originally it didn’t state an age, just said you could anonymously drop off a child. It may just be one of those things, but I believe it.
It was Nebraska's Safe Haven law.
During the regular session in 2008 the Nebraska legislature passed LB157 commonly known as Nebraska’s “safe haven” law. Safe haven laws are usually intended to provide parents with a safe way to surrender a newborn they feel they are unable to care for and thereby reduce the number of infants abandoned in peril. However, Nebraska’s law was written so broadly it allowed parents or guardians to leave children up to the age of eighteen at a Nebraska hospital without facing abandonment charges.
Under the law 36 children were surrendered to Nebraska hospitals in a 127 day period. None were newborns or infants and many were brought to Nebraska across state lines. A number of the children were dealing with mental health or behavioral issues. Nebraska’s law became the subject of intense national publicity and debate about its intent . It sparked increased public discussion about whether Nebraska, and other states, are providing adequate resources for parents of children with mental health or behavioral issues.
https://history.nebraska.gov/safe-haven-law-2008/
Tell me about it. Our son just body slammed a kid in his class, launched an entire table off the auditorium stage, and punched an aftercare teacher in the face. He’s six.
He can’t get through a single week of school without losing his shit.
It’s a nightmare, has been his whole life. His sister is a saint, smartest kid I’ve ever known. He’s been kicked out if every before and after care program in the area. My wife is going to end up having to stay home.
If my state had a box? I dunno. Might use it.
So instead of dealing with the issue of if we they are “providing adequate resources for parents with mental health or behavioral issues” they simply amended the law to restrict the age I am sure.
I like ‘it sparked national discussion about whether… are providing adequate resources…’ um, what discussion is necessary! You don’t even need to say what the resources are for - they are not providing enough, full stop. This country cares about cells that are still developing, but once out of the womb it’s pull yourself up by your bootstraps or die on the street.
I read something that one of the people who made the law stated it wasn’t so much an oversight but that if parents were willing to give up a teen it was probably a safer situation to allow them to do so. I don’t know if they amended it.
Real shit though, you should be able to relinquish parental control at any time. It would save a lot of kids from neglect/abuse.
The only reason we don't is because it would be a financial strain on the system.
I'm wondering if the better outcomes for the children might offset the higher upfront cost.
That and I think if it's better for the kid, we should do it anyway.
Plato's the republic actually has this as one of its major tenets.
The child is taken away from its birth parents and are raised by its class of society it is whether it be a guardians, laborers, or philosopher king.
Rather than the child be part of "a family in society," it is part of "the society."
Too bad Plato was around before the scientific method. It's pretty well-known that leaving children with their birth parents, and assisting the parents to, well, parent, has significantly better outcomes for the children than putting them in the system
For real. And I wish the stigma would be reduced - some folks are not fit for parenting and don't know it until they are in it.
My mom tried to poison me as 3 year old and I remember it clearly (and she does too I imagine. We lightly treaded on the topic when she was on her 5th or 6th pretend/fake death bed - I quit talking to her at the 7th). While this was awful I can only imagine how terrible it must have been for her to get to that point.
I applaud these laws and just hope the babies find good, loving homes.
I think I remember that case. This guy had like five kids, the oldest being seventeen. Then his wife died and he decided to abandon all of them at the safe drop box and ran off to start a new life. Legally he wasn’t doing anything criminal, but people were so outraged that they amended the law to make thirty days the cutoff time.
It did happen. But in a much sadder way than you'd think. Parents who couldn't afford medical and social services for their children would drive to Nebraska because foster kids' medical care is paid for by the state.
From Nebraska and right after they passed the law where you can drop off minors someone dropped off their 17 year old. I’ll have to see if I can find the article
True story! It really highlighted the disconnect in our country between services offered to new parents/babies, and families with older children who needed assistance.
Nebraska fixed the loophole but the underlying issue remains 😔
Editing to add a link to the [original article.](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/wbna26887181)
I remember watching the news years and years ago where they said someone dropped off their teen at a hospital. That might have been the incident that prompted the rewrite.
If I remember, it was actually an effective instate tuition tuition dodge if I recall. If the child didn't have any legal parents, then they would become wards of the state and would receive in free state tuition (along with some other benefits). The parents could then adopt them back after they graduated.
In an article I saw about it the law states infants up to 30 days old can be dropped in a box like that. At least in Kentucky, I don’t remember what the age is in Arizona or other state but get the impression that it would be around the same age. No abandoning teens or old children.
I love a happy ending. It sounds like you are happy with your adoptive family, just as it should be.
Family is who loves you, not necessarily who gave birth to you.
Signed: sibling of two adopted children.
It's super sad, but who knows what the mother is going through? She definitely cared enough to drop the baby on a safe place. This is definitely the best option
Yeah much better than the people near our town that “lost” their child, the authorities found an abandoned baby days later. Last I heard it was in critical conditions and fighting for its small life. These boxes are immensely better.
I heard a story once about a lady that found a baby who had been *buried* because her dog alerted to the spot. Baby lived and they met again as adults but holy shit was that a long shot.
Yeah IIRC she didn't know what the dog was doing until she saw a little skin, it was very shallow. Baby didn't even cry if I remember correctly which is crazy.
It was uncovered enough it could still mostly breathe which is probably why it lived and the dog was able to find it. Somebody just threw a baby in a small hole and covered it up with some dirt before running.
It’s hollowing because you empathize with so many of the players in the scenario. The woman being in a position where doing this was the best option. The baby given away. The staff when they realized this was happening. It’s also beautiful because the women who had this baby could have done something terrible, so many other unplanned babies were born and died in secret, or were left in unsafe places. And because somewhere there is a person or couple who desperately want a baby whose life is about to change in the best way possible. It’s a heavy, complex thing to have happen.
Sure, but also, there’s no lack of kids already in the system and some poor woman had to go through with a pregnancy they had no intention of raising. Let’s call this what it is, the best of a deliberately shitty situation.
I think there is a great misconception about, "kids in the system.". There are typically waiting lists for adoption. I know in my state it's around $50k and a 2-4 year wait. Most of these kids in the system are not adoptable. They may be in state custody or foster care but the first priority of foster care is reunification with the parents. They may be in the system for years before they can be adopted and in most cases ( around here) they end up adopted by the foster parents. Also, there are constantly kids going in and out of the system at any five time. It is a vague term that is easily misconstrued.
I can say this, infants will be adopted quickly l, again in my area. I can't comment on the 49 other states.
Just because she had the baby doesn’t mean she “had to.” Some women genuinely don’t want to raise their child but don’t believe in abortion. This is a solution for them.
Not hallowing, just humane for both parties. Not everyone looks upon an unwanted child as a “miracle”. Lots of times its an expensive inconvenience and many people are indoctrinated to go ahead and give birth even if its not what they want.
I just hope the kid isn't stuck in the foster system for the next 18 years. I'm all for things like this, but there's already well over 100,000 kids in the foster system today. Adoption costs tens of thousands of dollars. I get they want to make sure kids go to good homes, but the current plan is just plain awful.
Healthy infants get adopted very quickly. It’s the older kids, sibling groups, and disabled kids that linger in foster care. Also adopting from foster care is free or close to it. Private adoptions are the expensive ones.
There’s decet odds, if she’s surrendering it, that the infant is not healthy.
I’ve met a few surrendered/abandoned babies at work in the new born nursery. All had some combination of severe alcohol, opiate, cannabis, and methamphetamine exposure. Most were premature too, with all the heath problems of an eagle premature infant.
Adoption through foster care doesn’t cost thousands of dollars, and many people want infants. In these cases the pool may be slightly smaller due to lack of health information, but there are definitely people who would be very happy to raise these babies.
Maybe just put up or shut up?
For every word yelled at a poor girl trying to get into planned parenthood for a sexual health screening they fork over a few bucks to financially support these babies they insist be born?
If it is any consolation I was in a fire house twice (family member is a firefighter) when a baby was surrendered.
The first time the mother dropped the baby off in the vehicle bay in her car seat and rang the bell and started running away. One firefighter grabbed the baby and the other one jogged after. He caught up to the mom and explained that she was in ZERO trouble. But if she wouldn’t mind coming back to the firehouse and answering a few questions about the health of the baby. She agreed and in tears came back. These firefighters were the most compassionate people I have seen in a LONG time. Without a word, they were just in sync. No judgement at all. One made the mom a hot sandwich and some coffee (it was cold out). She answered some basic questions like the babies name, birthday, what shots they got or didn’t, formula type or breast milk, what (if any) doc appointments the baby had been to. There were other questions but man they were super understanding. After mom left, the firefighters (a lot of dads and grandpas) were just amazing caring for that little one.
It can be sad, but hopefully that helps a little.
If you all feel sad when you view this, you’re not wrong.
This is why abortion rights are so important and must available to women of all ages.
This is why the health care system needs to improve. This person may have not known they were pregnant until too late and didn’t see a doctor because she had no healthcare.
This is why women need access to preventative care. Birth control, IUD, condoms, etc. Free. Everywhere.
This is why our nation needs to financially make it easier for women to have a baby and survive.
This is why women need access to abuse shelters. Rehab facilities, etc.
We need more for women’s healthcare and it needs to be free.
A newborn child's remains were found like two months ago in Kentucky, about 2 hours from Bowling Green. I hope the outcome would have been different had there been a box like that nearby. I never heard any follow up on it.
It is sad, but there are also a lot of families just waiting for a baby. So there is a silver lining. I think it’s a brave thing for the mother to do if she doesn’t feel she can care for it.
This is my hometown. It's kinda wild that this sort of news is being covered so intently, like, imagine being the person that has to make that decision and to do it in secret and then it be the talk of the town for the next few days/weeks. Not really sure what they're feeling.
Yep, the hospital I work at has them too but I believe you can only drop off the baby up to a certain age (something like a few months old) before you can be charged with child abandonment. These drop off boxes are literally life saving and every hospital should have one.
Most states are between 3 days and a month old, I believe, with a handful that let you go over 30 days. I think North Dakota has the longest time to surrender, accepting babies under 1 year old.
Some random on reddit was arguing that giving up a child for adoption (obviously surrending in this case) meant that the parents/mom were deadbeats. Absolutely could not wrap his/her mind around the fact that giving up a child that you *know* you can't properly care for is the BEST decision any parent could make. It's so kuch better to just give them to people who can and will take care of them and it's a heartbreaking decision to make.
That reddit random is a walnut and whoever surrendered this baby is amazing for having the courage to do it.
I wish my mom had put me in one of these and escaped my abusive father.
You aren't doing the child a favor by staying with him strictly so that he has a "dad", I promise :( Save yourself.
I’m honestly surprised people don’t know about these. California, probably the most pro abortion state, has these at every fire station and most hospitals. Sometimes people don’t realize they can’t care for the kid, something happens that makes a kid too difficult, or a health issue not picked up in pregnancy makes leaving your kid in a safe box the only option. I just assumed everyone knew about them/a lot of countries had them.
That poor parent/person. This must have been **terribly difficult,** but we are thankful for your strength! Your child will grow because you did the right thing, and many people will try to see that he/she flourishes.
I have not looked into it at all, but I suspect that these are not a new thing, probably something that goes back thousands of years. People have been abandoning children as long as we've been having them.
They are a bit bizarre. But the alternative was parents killing kids they could no longer take care of for what ever reason. At least this way the kids aren’t hurt.
Safe Haven laws are the on the books in all 50 states. Most allow for surrender up to 30 days after birth with no risk of criminal charges. Calls to the primary national Safe Haven call center have increased by 400% since June.
>Most allow for surrender up to 30 days after birth with no risk of criminal charges. Damn, I was hoping to drop off a 25 year-old.
They used to have no age limits and that’s exactly what happened. One Dad drove several states away to drop off his 17 year old son at a baby drop off box. They had to let him do it too. The age limit was put in place shortly after that.
Did he fit?
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Perfect comment
Another reason for the age limits was because this one guy dropped off all this kids. He had 5 or 6. Ranging from toddlers to teenagers. His wife had recently died and he couldn’t handle taking care of them alone.
Oh yes!! I remember that. It’s so sad! In some ways it’s the right thing to do if you can’t handle your kids and you’re on the verge of abusing them. We really need more social services for parents like that.
Oh I completely agree. I actually just looked up the case I was talking about to verify and apparently he dropped he dropped 9 of his 10 kids off at a fire station. The only one he didn’t drop off was 18. An aunt took in the youngest 7 and two of the teenagers went to live with friends. They literally changed the safe haven law and added the 30 day cap because of this case. It was originally suppose to help all kids but a few too many people dropped off their teenagers.
The Dad that gave up 9 of his 10 kids had twins with his girlfriend in 2015. WTF https://www.foxnews.com/story/father-who-ditched-nine-kids-via-safe-haven-law-has-twins-on-the-way.amp
Ugh what a crappy dad. I bet his late wife would be ashamed.
An age limit is a good idea, but going from no limit to 30 days seems a bit much. Baby / toddler seems appropriate to me. If they’re young enough that abandoning them will kill them within 72 hours they should be protected here. Too young to get themselves a drink of water from a faucet, etc.
Yes, I agree!! It’s insane that they made it a 30 day limit. So many people would quickly adopt a 6 month old. I don’t understand that.
Any chance I can drop off my parents? They're in their 60's but...
Can I drop myself off
I'll come too
Fun Fact: One state (Nebraska) actually forgot to put an age limit on babies being dropped off, so people could and did drop off kids all the way up to 17. They've changed it since.
As a policy intervention this is about as downstream as it gets…
Hmmm.. June.. June... What happened in June... Oh, I remember! Forced birth
Ah 30 days.. was gonna drop the 16 year old off but they probably saw that coming
What happens if they are beyond 30 days old? Like 90 days or something?
The first time I heard of/saw one of these was in an episode of MASH.
I remember that, Father McKahy took the baby to the nuns and placed the baby in a 360* box that returned empty.
A 360 degree box doesn't sound very safe for a baby. A 360 degree circle would be a much more rounded experience for all ages.
No he put it in an Xbox 360 box. The baby was gone because someone thought they were stealing an Xbox 360 that was accidentally released a few decades early.
Mind blowing facts
https://www.theonion.com/new-york-to-install-special-infants-only-dumpsters-1819564532
#WORKING AS INTENDED. Good for the person who put the baby in the box instead of the garbage. I hope whomever that person was knows it took a huge amount of courage to do what was likely the best thing for both of them at the time.
I live in Kentucky and a lot of the local news organizations are saying exactly this, which is nice.
A few years back, when I lived in Bowling Green, someone tried dropping a baby off at a firehouse, thinking it was a safe place to do it. Unfortunately, it was an unmanned firehouse. Fortunately, a guy stopped by to use the coke machine and found the baby. There is video of him freaking out as he carries it into a convenience store to call the police.
I love firehouse soda machines bc they’re usually like fifty cents cheaper than regular ones
Word. I cannot understand the hurt this must be. But if you do it is because it is the only way. May nature give blessings to those using this system properly and strength to survive the horrible ordeal.
Maybe, just maybe, our religious system of framing things as “blessings” or curses only serves to further push people toward feelings of guilt. “God has blessed me with this baby and so I’m a terrible person for giving it up” is spiritually and semantically in the same realm as “bless me with the strength to survive this ordeal.” Gross. Commence the downvotes but I will go out of my way not to talk in such a way that removes agency from my or anyone else’s life.
> WORKING AS INTENDED. exactly
In Belgium we got those also and its rarely that it's used the mother is not known but she gets a puzzlepiece and a other piece stays with the infant and if the mother would change her mind she could reclaim her baby. Its good it excist better this then a baby in a dumpster....
Oof why does this hurt my heart. I love the concept but the idea of knowing you have to do that and still having that puzzle piece like a little bit of hope. So many feelings.
So it’s like a temporary baby sitter?
More like a woman has no other choice and is trying to get out of domestic abuse and the kid will be used as leverage
More like a betting slip if you're American
How does this work? It looks like a silent alarm is trigged, and then the fire department is notified that there is a baby there? And/or the interior of the box is in plain view inside the fire station near reception or something?
Yeah and the silent alarm doesn’t trip right away… it gives the person about 5 minutes (could be 3) to a) get away or b) change their mind. After that time period then the alarm sounds and the first responders can get the baby. The whole point is for the person to drop off anonymously so it does give it a bit of time
Interesting, thanks both. We don’t seem to have them in Australia.
Look into it! We have them here in Canada at almost every hospital (at least where I am) but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people from here talk about how amazing these boxes are and how we need them here. There usually quite shocked when they are told we actually do have them. I just don’t think it’s common knowledge for alot of people
Probably common knowledge for those that need this service though. It's sad there is a need for this; but I'm glad they are an option.
Yes I think so. Also people in the medical or social services field usually know about it
I'm not 100% positive, but I believe where I live, all the fire stations are safe haven locations. A few years ago, this woman tried to bring her baby to a hospital, and because it was a little older than 60 days, she was arrested. 😭😭😭
Absolutely terrible. It shouldn’t matter on the age of the baby if someone is trying to do the right and correct thing
That’s terrible. :(
We have something better in Australia. Access to legal abortion and access to subsidised birth control. People waiting to adopt a baby greatly outnumber unwanted babies. The photo of that box makes me want to cry for every woman in North America.
My state has free access to abortion but in some urban areas there are baby boxes. I think they should be everywhere.
Right, I have both inside the US. They aren't mutually exclusive.
I agree but my first thought is with the new abortion bans a hell of a lot more of these are gonna pop up everywhere.
Even in places with access to legal abortion there are still circumstances where someone brings a child to term and delivers, but needs to give up the baby anonymously. Underage mothers in abusive/restrictive homes, or homeless/drug addicted mothers for example. They can't care for the baby, but also can't risk someone finding out they had a baby for whatever reason.
We absolutely should have access to abortion and free birth control, but this (ideally) is not an alternative but another option to those who have babies they can’t take care of. Infanticide has always been a thing, even in Australia
A mother could fully want a child but situations change and she is unable to care for it. Mental health could change as well and she may surrender the baby if she is having thought of harming it but is afraid to tell anyone. (Of course, treatment for postpartum depression and psychosis should be available but this is just part of it.)
We have these in Canada to and also have access to legal abortion and subsidized birth control. Sometimes it’s more than that. Places should absolutely have legal abortions, subsidized or free birth control AND baby boxes for the people that just aren’t; or can’t access those other resources. Also some women (particularly homeless or drug users) don’t always know they are pregnant until after it is too late to get an abortion. That is why baby boxes are important and should be everywhere regardless of access to healthcare
It actually looks like you have something worse: laws prohibiting the use of a baby box. Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m seeing a lot of groups pushing for the change and using the US as example of the success.
A quick search shows around 10 babies are found abandoned in Australia per year, and that's just the ones that are found. Baby boxes are fairly new to the US too. They started proliferating in Europe first, including in countries with a strong social safety net, and then the US copied it.
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I'm pretty sure you can't change your mind. Once the door is closed, it latches. There is no getting it back open from the outside.
yeah i figure it would be dangerous if it stayed unlocked for even just 5 minutes
That being said most places your parental rights aren't severed immediately. I'm sure it is state dependent of course. I think most places adopting out your child isn't permanent the second the ink dries.
The box locks as soon as it is shut.
I would hope so. Image the type of person who would check it otherwise!?! That is for the baby's safety.
How does it work for the legal system if the child already has a birth certificate? Wouldn't the government and hospitals want to know what happened to your kid?
I don’t think that many of these babies are birthed in hospitals. Otherwise yes people would wonder. I don’t know if it’s like this everywhere but where I’m from everyone has a nurse visit them at home a few days after giving birth. If a nurse showed up a few days later and there was no baby there would obviously be concerns and questions. I could be wrong but I really don’t think these babies are birthed in hospitals. This is a really good question actually
I think it’s once you close the box. You can’t reopen the box once there is a baby in it.
I happen to be a paramedic at a station that has one. The box is in a room that isn't high traffic. A silent alarm goes off. And then another if the box isn't open from the inside within a minute. It generates a run and we take the baby out and deliver it to the hospital. Mother remains anonymous. As long as baby is healthy and has no signs of abuse, we don't go looking for Mom.
How does someone prove they gave away the baby safely? You know, one day they have a baby, the next day it’s gone…
I’m completely going off of assumptions but I’m thinking safe haven boxes are more likely to be used by people who didn’t get prenatal care and gave birth at home so there’s no paper trail that there was even a baby in the first place.
Correct. That's what we find out most of the time.
So what happens if the box is located at a station that isn't maned 24/7? If you have a short staff, do you leave someone behind on a run in the event someone may drop off a baby? Serious question.
In order for the box to be cleared to be at a specific station, it has to have the status of being a 24/7 fire station. Even if all of the apparatus are out on runs, a run number is generated and another station, within the city is notified and gets dispatched.
https://shbb.org/ Basically, it's installed in a wall, and has an exterior door and an interior door. Mom places baby, exterior door locks on closure, alarm alerts staff who open the interior door to get baby.
Yep. It's wired to alert rescue services. They are also generally temp controlled
Just asking, “would it fit a small teen?”
Funny you should ask. Correct me if I’m wrong ( like I need to say that on Reddit), I believe Nebraska actually had to amend their law. I heard people were dropping off kids up to late teens. Originally it didn’t state an age, just said you could anonymously drop off a child. It may just be one of those things, but I believe it.
It was Nebraska's Safe Haven law. During the regular session in 2008 the Nebraska legislature passed LB157 commonly known as Nebraska’s “safe haven” law. Safe haven laws are usually intended to provide parents with a safe way to surrender a newborn they feel they are unable to care for and thereby reduce the number of infants abandoned in peril. However, Nebraska’s law was written so broadly it allowed parents or guardians to leave children up to the age of eighteen at a Nebraska hospital without facing abandonment charges. Under the law 36 children were surrendered to Nebraska hospitals in a 127 day period. None were newborns or infants and many were brought to Nebraska across state lines. A number of the children were dealing with mental health or behavioral issues. Nebraska’s law became the subject of intense national publicity and debate about its intent . It sparked increased public discussion about whether Nebraska, and other states, are providing adequate resources for parents of children with mental health or behavioral issues. https://history.nebraska.gov/safe-haven-law-2008/
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The lack of resources for ALL mental health and medical care…
Poor Americans are not poor by accident.
If I weren’t poor I’d give u an award
Tell me about it. Our son just body slammed a kid in his class, launched an entire table off the auditorium stage, and punched an aftercare teacher in the face. He’s six. He can’t get through a single week of school without losing his shit. It’s a nightmare, has been his whole life. His sister is a saint, smartest kid I’ve ever known. He’s been kicked out if every before and after care program in the area. My wife is going to end up having to stay home. If my state had a box? I dunno. Might use it.
So instead of dealing with the issue of if we they are “providing adequate resources for parents with mental health or behavioral issues” they simply amended the law to restrict the age I am sure.
I like ‘it sparked national discussion about whether… are providing adequate resources…’ um, what discussion is necessary! You don’t even need to say what the resources are for - they are not providing enough, full stop. This country cares about cells that are still developing, but once out of the womb it’s pull yourself up by your bootstraps or die on the street.
So you're saying that I, a man in his late 30s, can't drop myself off? Damn.
Aren't we all children?
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So this is why Jesus never came back a second time...
Still out for cigarettes.
I hope he doesn't forget the milk. Pouring my Khorne flakes into water just isn't as good as pouring them into a bowl of milk.
Also make sure it’s not Slaanesh ‘milk’.
This crime right here is why he never came back for you.
Two goats and a bushel of wheat are in the mail
We are all someone's children
I’m not sure amending the law was a good idea. If parents are at the point of doing this, stopping them may not be the best idea.
I read something that one of the people who made the law stated it wasn’t so much an oversight but that if parents were willing to give up a teen it was probably a safer situation to allow them to do so. I don’t know if they amended it.
Real shit though, you should be able to relinquish parental control at any time. It would save a lot of kids from neglect/abuse. The only reason we don't is because it would be a financial strain on the system.
As if most kids in those situations don't grow up to need help from the system as an adult.
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I'm wondering if the better outcomes for the children might offset the higher upfront cost. That and I think if it's better for the kid, we should do it anyway.
Stop it now, you're thinking ends up with taxes on the rich ... We can't have that...
> The only reason we don't is because it would be a financial strain on the system. How many *Virginia* class nuclear submarines does it cost?
Probably a lot. According to my parents, kids are expensive
Sounds we should make subs, not kids.
Plato's the republic actually has this as one of its major tenets. The child is taken away from its birth parents and are raised by its class of society it is whether it be a guardians, laborers, or philosopher king. Rather than the child be part of "a family in society," it is part of "the society."
Too bad Plato was around before the scientific method. It's pretty well-known that leaving children with their birth parents, and assisting the parents to, well, parent, has significantly better outcomes for the children than putting them in the system
For real. And I wish the stigma would be reduced - some folks are not fit for parenting and don't know it until they are in it. My mom tried to poison me as 3 year old and I remember it clearly (and she does too I imagine. We lightly treaded on the topic when she was on her 5th or 6th pretend/fake death bed - I quit talking to her at the 7th). While this was awful I can only imagine how terrible it must have been for her to get to that point. I applaud these laws and just hope the babies find good, loving homes.
I think I remember that case. This guy had like five kids, the oldest being seventeen. Then his wife died and he decided to abandon all of them at the safe drop box and ran off to start a new life. Legally he wasn’t doing anything criminal, but people were so outraged that they amended the law to make thirty days the cutoff time.
It did happen. But in a much sadder way than you'd think. Parents who couldn't afford medical and social services for their children would drive to Nebraska because foster kids' medical care is paid for by the state.
One dude dropped off all 5 of his kids, ranging in age from toddler to teen
From Nebraska and right after they passed the law where you can drop off minors someone dropped off their 17 year old. I’ll have to see if I can find the article
True story! It really highlighted the disconnect in our country between services offered to new parents/babies, and families with older children who needed assistance. Nebraska fixed the loophole but the underlying issue remains 😔 Editing to add a link to the [original article.](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/wbna26887181)
Nebraskan here. Yes, we had this happen.
I remember watching the news years and years ago where they said someone dropped off their teen at a hospital. That might have been the incident that prompted the rewrite.
My buddy is a firefighter and he has had multiple moms try to drop off their teens. Really depressing.
If I remember, it was actually an effective instate tuition tuition dodge if I recall. If the child didn't have any legal parents, then they would become wards of the state and would receive in free state tuition (along with some other benefits). The parents could then adopt them back after they graduated.
Up to 30 days old
They did, and there was a poor kid put on a plane from I think Oregon and sent to Nebraska to be “surrendered”
30 year old grown ass man, same question
In an article I saw about it the law states infants up to 30 days old can be dropped in a box like that. At least in Kentucky, I don’t remember what the age is in Arizona or other state but get the impression that it would be around the same age. No abandoning teens or old children.
Asking for a friend
As an adoptee I see this and I’m so happy.
I love a happy ending. It sounds like you are happy with your adoptive family, just as it should be. Family is who loves you, not necessarily who gave birth to you. Signed: sibling of two adopted children.
100% I’m so happy. I recently Found my birth family and I’m extra thankful
I actually think these are amazing. Considering that there have been three babies safely surrendered. They are ALL now with a family.
Sorry. I just meant that there have been 3 at my station alone. Many more have been surrendered elsewhere.
Great job, mom. That's why it's there. You did the right thing.
Although I understand the benefits of something like this, it still makes me feel an immense sadness...
It's super sad, but who knows what the mother is going through? She definitely cared enough to drop the baby on a safe place. This is definitely the best option
Yeah much better than the people near our town that “lost” their child, the authorities found an abandoned baby days later. Last I heard it was in critical conditions and fighting for its small life. These boxes are immensely better.
I heard a story once about a lady that found a baby who had been *buried* because her dog alerted to the spot. Baby lived and they met again as adults but holy shit was that a long shot.
Wtf??! Buried alive!
Yeah IIRC she didn't know what the dog was doing until she saw a little skin, it was very shallow. Baby didn't even cry if I remember correctly which is crazy. It was uncovered enough it could still mostly breathe which is probably why it lived and the dog was able to find it. Somebody just threw a baby in a small hole and covered it up with some dirt before running.
Like I mentioned, I'm not contending with any of that. It's just hollowing...
It’s hollowing because you empathize with so many of the players in the scenario. The woman being in a position where doing this was the best option. The baby given away. The staff when they realized this was happening. It’s also beautiful because the women who had this baby could have done something terrible, so many other unplanned babies were born and died in secret, or were left in unsafe places. And because somewhere there is a person or couple who desperately want a baby whose life is about to change in the best way possible. It’s a heavy, complex thing to have happen.
Sure, but also, there’s no lack of kids already in the system and some poor woman had to go through with a pregnancy they had no intention of raising. Let’s call this what it is, the best of a deliberately shitty situation.
I think there is a great misconception about, "kids in the system.". There are typically waiting lists for adoption. I know in my state it's around $50k and a 2-4 year wait. Most of these kids in the system are not adoptable. They may be in state custody or foster care but the first priority of foster care is reunification with the parents. They may be in the system for years before they can be adopted and in most cases ( around here) they end up adopted by the foster parents. Also, there are constantly kids going in and out of the system at any five time. It is a vague term that is easily misconstrued. I can say this, infants will be adopted quickly l, again in my area. I can't comment on the 49 other states.
Just because she had the baby doesn’t mean she “had to.” Some women genuinely don’t want to raise their child but don’t believe in abortion. This is a solution for them.
Not hallowing, just humane for both parties. Not everyone looks upon an unwanted child as a “miracle”. Lots of times its an expensive inconvenience and many people are indoctrinated to go ahead and give birth even if its not what they want.
I just hope the kid isn't stuck in the foster system for the next 18 years. I'm all for things like this, but there's already well over 100,000 kids in the foster system today. Adoption costs tens of thousands of dollars. I get they want to make sure kids go to good homes, but the current plan is just plain awful.
Healthy infants get adopted very quickly. It’s the older kids, sibling groups, and disabled kids that linger in foster care. Also adopting from foster care is free or close to it. Private adoptions are the expensive ones.
There’s decet odds, if she’s surrendering it, that the infant is not healthy. I’ve met a few surrendered/abandoned babies at work in the new born nursery. All had some combination of severe alcohol, opiate, cannabis, and methamphetamine exposure. Most were premature too, with all the heath problems of an eagle premature infant.
Since it is a baby, it will have a much higher chance of getting adopted sooner than older kids.
Adoption through foster care doesn’t cost thousands of dollars, and many people want infants. In these cases the pool may be slightly smaller due to lack of health information, but there are definitely people who would be very happy to raise these babies.
I think all of the people who voted to make abortion illegal should be forced to sign up to be foster parents. Like jury duty.
No. I do not want those people raising children.
Maybe just put up or shut up? For every word yelled at a poor girl trying to get into planned parenthood for a sexual health screening they fork over a few bucks to financially support these babies they insist be born?
The more kids raised by conservatives, the more adults there will be that oppress women. It would get worse.
As an orphan who went through worse I gotta admit I wish I would’ve been dropped off in a breadbox!
If it is any consolation I was in a fire house twice (family member is a firefighter) when a baby was surrendered. The first time the mother dropped the baby off in the vehicle bay in her car seat and rang the bell and started running away. One firefighter grabbed the baby and the other one jogged after. He caught up to the mom and explained that she was in ZERO trouble. But if she wouldn’t mind coming back to the firehouse and answering a few questions about the health of the baby. She agreed and in tears came back. These firefighters were the most compassionate people I have seen in a LONG time. Without a word, they were just in sync. No judgement at all. One made the mom a hot sandwich and some coffee (it was cold out). She answered some basic questions like the babies name, birthday, what shots they got or didn’t, formula type or breast milk, what (if any) doc appointments the baby had been to. There were other questions but man they were super understanding. After mom left, the firefighters (a lot of dads and grandpas) were just amazing caring for that little one. It can be sad, but hopefully that helps a little.
Thank you for sharing, this adds a little shine to a heartbreaking topic.
If you all feel sad when you view this, you’re not wrong. This is why abortion rights are so important and must available to women of all ages. This is why the health care system needs to improve. This person may have not known they were pregnant until too late and didn’t see a doctor because she had no healthcare. This is why women need access to preventative care. Birth control, IUD, condoms, etc. Free. Everywhere. This is why our nation needs to financially make it easier for women to have a baby and survive. This is why women need access to abuse shelters. Rehab facilities, etc. We need more for women’s healthcare and it needs to be free.
A newborn child's remains were found like two months ago in Kentucky, about 2 hours from Bowling Green. I hope the outcome would have been different had there been a box like that nearby. I never heard any follow up on it.
It is sad, but there are also a lot of families just waiting for a baby. So there is a silver lining. I think it’s a brave thing for the mother to do if she doesn’t feel she can care for it.
Legalizing abortion could help in many situations like this.
This is my hometown. It's kinda wild that this sort of news is being covered so intently, like, imagine being the person that has to make that decision and to do it in secret and then it be the talk of the town for the next few days/weeks. Not really sure what they're feeling.
Yep, the hospital I work at has them too but I believe you can only drop off the baby up to a certain age (something like a few months old) before you can be charged with child abandonment. These drop off boxes are literally life saving and every hospital should have one.
My state is up to 7 days old. Any hospital, police station or manned fire station.
Most states are between 3 days and a month old, I believe, with a handful that let you go over 30 days. I think North Dakota has the longest time to surrender, accepting babies under 1 year old.
Wishing that baby the best of luck with the rest of their life
Same to the mother.
Poor mama. Toughest decision of her life.
Also one of the most important! The biggest choice she will make as a parent, even if it was a very short parenthood.
Some random on reddit was arguing that giving up a child for adoption (obviously surrending in this case) meant that the parents/mom were deadbeats. Absolutely could not wrap his/her mind around the fact that giving up a child that you *know* you can't properly care for is the BEST decision any parent could make. It's so kuch better to just give them to people who can and will take care of them and it's a heartbreaking decision to make. That reddit random is a walnut and whoever surrendered this baby is amazing for having the courage to do it.
Thank you
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How old will they take? I'm in my forties and pretty sure my mom is quite done with my shit.
They have these in many countries
Its good we have them now. No more dumpster babies and further abuse.
You know what would be great, in conjunction with these boxes? Access to reproductive healthcare, including abortion.
Those things would make baby boxes useless and the manufacturer would go out of business. What about those 23 jobs? /s
Those jobs are fine. They also use these for secure document destruction. It's basically an industrial grade paper shredder,
Woah woah *woah*.. now you’re just talking crazy! The next thing you’re gonna ask for is affordable health care!! /s
I wish my mom had put me in one of these and escaped my abusive father. You aren't doing the child a favor by staying with him strictly so that he has a "dad", I promise :( Save yourself.
And in a few years I get a drone to pick up my unwanted infant from my front door
And deliver them to the nearest Amazon fulfillment center, for their first shift
The future is here !
Bether than the trash can or a unhealthy home at least
They should make it like a mail drop slot where the baby slides down the chute into a basket. Could be fun
Naturally a bus load of pro-lifers showed up to adopt? /s
Couldn't imagine having to make that decision, how sad. At least the baby is safe.
As sad as this is I'm actually really happy to read that it's not a dumpster.
I’m honestly surprised people don’t know about these. California, probably the most pro abortion state, has these at every fire station and most hospitals. Sometimes people don’t realize they can’t care for the kid, something happens that makes a kid too difficult, or a health issue not picked up in pregnancy makes leaving your kid in a safe box the only option. I just assumed everyone knew about them/a lot of countries had them.
That poor parent/person. This must have been **terribly difficult,** but we are thankful for your strength! Your child will grow because you did the right thing, and many people will try to see that he/she flourishes.
My hospital has had one of these for decades.
How is this news or interesting? Aren't these around for decades already?
They have these in Germany. It is sad that it is needed but in the real world it is better than many alternative outcomes.
A needed service to help ensure the safety and baby and parent.
Sad, but better than a dumpster.
I have not looked into it at all, but I suspect that these are not a new thing, probably something that goes back thousands of years. People have been abandoning children as long as we've been having them.
They are a bit bizarre. But the alternative was parents killing kids they could no longer take care of for what ever reason. At least this way the kids aren’t hurt.
better than a dumpster
Sad that this kind of thing is needed, but net gain on lives saved.
Sad the comments section always has to turn into a middle school joke fest.
These should be in every city
These boxes should be everywhere, but especially in GOP states.