Safe Surrender

Franciscan raising funds for Safe Haven Baby Box

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Throughout Indiana, abandoned babies have been found on residential streets, open fields and even in trash cans. This doesn’t have to happen. Franciscan Health Foundation is currently raising funds to install a Safe Haven Baby Box at Franciscan Health Crawfordsville.

Indiana’s Safe Haven Law allows a woman to legally and safely relinquish an unharmed newborn baby at a Safe Haven location. Historically, Safe Haven sites have been locations like fire and police stations. However, a baby box at a hospital gives women another, less intimidating, option if they fear being recognized, questioned or even arrested.

The Safe Haven Baby Box will provide an anonymous way for a woman to safely surrender their baby while maintaining privacy. For women who have utilized these boxes, they are a last resort which results in almost immediate medical care for the baby and eventually, placement into loving adoptive homes. While so many babies are left to unknown dangers after being abandoned, this process will provide every safety measure possible.

Franciscan Health Western Indiana installed its first Safe Haven Baby Box in 2020 in Lafayette and is now raising funds to install one at Franciscan Health Crawfordsville.

How the baby box works

The Safe Haven Baby Box is built into an exterior wall of a building. The inside of the baby box is climate controlled and features a baby bed. Once the baby is placed inside, the exterior door will automatically lock and a silent alarm sounds to alert medical personnel who will quickly retrieve the infant through an interior door.

The process is quick, secure, anonymous and most importantly, it provides the infant with a chance for a long and healthy life.

Franciscan Health Foundation is currently raising funds to support the purchase and installation of a Safe Haven Baby Box on the Franciscan Health Crawfordsville campus. Construction will start on this project when all funds have been secured.

Fundraising goal for this project is $28,000.

If an individual or organization would like to donate and support this baby box, contact Jen Eberly at 765-423-6812 or Jennifer.Eberly@FranciscanAlliance.org.


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