Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy signed legislation on September 9 legalizing Safe Haven Baby Boxes, making the state the 27th to allow their use for infant surrenders.
The boxes are temperature-controlled incubators typically installed in the exterior walls of fire stations, police stations and hospitals. A parent can place a newborn inside from outside the building; the door then locks, giving the parent time to leave before an alarm alerts first responders or hospital staff inside. The infant is quickly removed and taken for a medical check before usually being placed into state custody, often followed by adoption.
The boxes are typically funded by community donations and are authorized through legislation that builds on existing state Safe Haven laws, which exist in every state. Under Alaska law, infants may be legally surrendered up to 21 days after birth at baby boxes, hospitals, fire stations and police stations.
The bill was sponsored by state Sen. Rob Myers and state Rep. Frank Tomaszewski, both Republicans.
Lawmaker cites cases of abandoned infants
State Rep. Sarah Vance, a Republican, said the measure addresses a real need in Alaska.
“This bill is about something very simple: giving a newborn a chance to live,” Vance said in a Facebook post. “Safe Haven Baby Boxes provide a safe, secure place for a mother in crisis to surrender her newborn anonymously. Once a baby is placed inside, first responders are immediately alerted so that child can get medical care and be brought to safety.”
Vance said Alaska has seen cases that underscore the need for the law.
“Sadly, we’ve seen why this is needed here in Alaska,” she said. “There have been heartbreaking cases of newborn babies being abandoned outside in the cold, including babies who were found frozen. No newborn should ever be left outside to face the elements. A parent in crisis needs a safe option, and this law provides one. I’m grateful to everyone who worked to get this across the finish line. If this law saves even one baby’s life, it will have been worth it.”
Advocacy group founder attends signing
Monica Kelsey, founder of the Safe Haven Baby Boxes organization, traveled to Alaska for the bill signing. She said her organization has saved more than 300 babies through its baby boxes and its hotline.
“We have saved over 300 babies through our Baby Boxes and the Baby Box hotline,” Kelsey said in a livestream on Facebook.
The organization operates a confidential National Safe Haven Hotline, 1-866-99BABY1, which offers free counseling and information about safe surrender options, including face-to-face surrenders.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login