Remarks from the unveiling & blessing of Conway's first Safe Haven Baby Box
Channel: City of Conway, Arkansas
Date: 2021-07-07

The City of Conway unveiled and blessed its first Safe Haven Baby Box this morning Central Fire Station at 1401 Caldwell Street in Downtown Conway.

Speakers included:
- Monica Kelsey - Founder & CEO Safe Haven Baby Boxes
- Bart Castleberry - Mayor, City of Conway, Arkansas
- Ty Ledbetter - Captain, Conway Fire Department
- Mike Winter - Chief, Conway Fire Department
- Myron Milholland - CFO Chaplin, Grace Community Church

''The Safe Haven Baby Boxes organization provides the necessary resources for a parent who is in need of counseling and options when considering a surrender. Some parents want complete anonymity and this Safe Haven Baby Box provides that for them." says Kelsey.

The Safe Haven Baby Box itself is a large part of this mission. This box allows a mother to surrender her newborn infant, of 30 days or less, with 100% anonymity. The Baby Box has many security features, such as heating and cooling components and asophisticated alarm system. A gentle light illuminates the hospital-grade bassinet covered in blankets made by hand by our loving supporters. The infant is placed inside the box for less than 4minutes, all while the first responders rush to respond to the silent alarm to retrieve the precious newborn. There is also a care bagthat provides resources to the mother for medical assistance and other useful information.

This project was funded entirely by donations from the community. Heigel Building Solutions donated materials and labor for the installation of the Baby Box. "Funded entirely through donations, this new resource will be invaluable to the community for years to come," said Captain Ty Ledbetter.

Twelve infants have been placed in a Baby Box in the last four years. Nationwide, 100 surrenders have resulted from calling the Safe Haven Baby Boxes National hotline (1-866-99BABY1). Six of the twelve Baby Box surrenders took place in 2020 alone. Safe Haven Baby Boxes are currently available in Indiana, Ohio, Arkansas, Florida, and Kentucky.

ABOUT SAFE HAVEN BABY BOXES
Safe Haven Baby Boxes Inc. is a non-profit founded by firefighter/medic Monica Kelsey. Kelsey was abandoned as an infant and is committed to ending illegal infant abandonment in the country. The Safe Haven Baby Boxes organization offers a Safe Haven National Crisis Hotline (1-866-99BABY1) and is available 24/7/365. It offers counseling services to a parent who is unable or unwilling to care for their newborn. Safe Haven education is at the heart of its mission to raise awareness of the law in communitiesacross America. Learn more at https://shbb.org.

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City of Conway, Arkansas

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