Tag: Safe Haven

Crossett to Dedicate First Safe Haven Baby Box on August 20

The following is a press release from Arkansas Right to Life.

CROSSETT – Crossett’s 1^st and Arkansas’ 31^th Safe Haven Baby Box will be dedicated at 1 p.m., Wednesday, August 20, at Ashley County Medical Center, 1015 Unity Road. The public is invited.

“Saving lives just got a little easier in Crossett, Arkansas, as our newest baby box will be blessed on August 20th. The newest addition represents a significant step forward in our mission to provide a safe and anonymous alternative to surrendering an infant,” said Monica Kelsey, founder of Safe Haven Baby Boxes. “Our new location will offer a secure and compassionate option for parents in crisis and help ensure every infant has a chance for a safe and loving future. Across the country, there are 367 Safe Haven Baby Box locations with 31 in Arkansas.”

Kelsey added, “The Safe Haven Baby Box in Crossett would not have been possible without the local advocates, the Ashley County Medical Center, and Life Choices Pregnancy Care Center, for working tirelessly to bring this resource to their community.”

Speakers expected at the event include Rose Mimms, executive director of Arkansas Right to Life; Phillip Gilmore, CEO, Ashley County Medical Center; Senator Ben Gilmore, and Rep. Howard Beatty. Phillip Slaughter, pastor of First Baptist Church, Crossett, will offer a blessing and remarks.

Safe Haven Baby Boxes was founded by Monica Kelsey on a mission to end infant abandonment. In addition to baby boxes, the organization provides a confidential National Hotline, 1-866-99BABY1. Twenty-four states have a Baby Box presence within their state. Kelsey shared, “We have seen time and time again that preparation can save and change lives. We never know when or where we will be needed, so it is crucial to have options for mothers in crisis. I am grateful for local advocates who take our mission to their community.”

Since 2017, 60 infants have been safely and legally surrendered in a Baby Box. The National Safe Haven Crisis line has assisted with more than 150 handoff surrenders. Each year the numbers increase with more baby boxes available across the country. Surrendered infants are adopted by families who have registered as foster to adopt. The Local Department of Family Services coordinates the adoption process.

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Measure Would Permit Pro-Life “Baby Boxes” at Volunteer Fire Stations in Arkansas

On Monday Rep. Julie Mayberry (R – Hensley) and Sen. Missy Irvin (R – Mountain View) filed H.B. 1098 permitting Safe Haven Baby Boxes at volunteer fire stations in Arkansas.

Arkansas’ Safe Haven Act of 2001 lets a woman surrender her newborn baby to law enforcement, medical personnel, and first responders.

The law gives women with unplanned pregnancies an option besides abortion, and it protects newborns from being abandoned.

Similar laws are on the books in all 50 states.

Act 185 of 2019 by Sen. Cecile Bledsoe (R – Rogers) and Rep. Rebecca Petty (R – Rogers) improved Arkansas’ Safe Haven law by letting fire stations install Safe Haven Boxes — sometimes called ‘baby boxes’ — where women can anonymously place their newborn. Placing a baby inside the box triggers a silent alarm notifying first responders about the child.

Since then, multiple babies in Arkansas have been saved by these baby boxes.

H.B. 1098 makes it possible for volunteer fire departments to install baby boxes at their stations, provided that the department maintains and monitors the baby box in accordance with state law, and first responders are able to reach the baby in less than four minutes.

Now that abortion is prohibited in Arkansas except to save the life of the mother, it is essential for our state to assist women with unplanned pregnancies. Safe Haven Baby Boxes give women real options besides abortion, and H.B. 1098 will expand the number of potential locations where these baby boxes can operate in Arkansas.

Read H.B. 1098 Here.

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