Elwood adds latest Indiana baby box

The Safe Haven Baby Box organization was founded by Monica Kelsey in 2016.  The first baby box was installed in Woodburn, Indiana.

“I’ll tell you I stand on the frontlines of this movement ensuring that every mother has a safe option to place her newborn in the arms of a firefighter with just a bassinet in between,” Kelsey said.

Most of the electronically monitored, temperature-controlled boxes are installed on the sides of fire stations. Elwood Fire Department has a paid, professional staff, so there should always be someone there, no matter when a baby might be dropped off.

Elwood Fire Department Chief Mark Sullivan said they are happy to have this option for women in his small town. “This is just another tool in our box,” he said.

Most are also funded through private church donations.  In Elwood, an anonymous donor funded the $15,000 box installation through the Elwood United Methodist Church.

A recent surge in surrenders this year includes three babies at a Carmel station.

And Kelsey said there are currently dozens more boxes in the works.

The increase in the number of boxes comes as Indiana lawmakers work to ban most abortions and as Hoosier women will soon find fewer options in the event of an unwanted pregnancy.

READ MORE: Indiana Senate committee adds more restrictions to its nearly total abortion ban

Seven states now have the boxes.  Indiana’s Safe Haven law allows anyone 30 days to surrender a newborn.

IPR’s Stephanie Wiechmann contributed to this report.

Contact WFYI city government and policy reporter Jill Sheridan at [email protected]. Follow on Twitter: @JillASheridan.