Safe Haven Baby Box installed at Decatur Morgan Hospital
DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) — One more city in Alabama is now equipped to give infants a second chance. On Monday, Decatur Morgan Hospital staff members and local and state leaders gathered for a 'blessing' of the new Safe Haven Baby Box.
It was installed at Decatur Morgan Hospital between the entrance to the emergency department and the ambulance bay. It is strategically located in an area without any security cameras, so any woman who is surrendering an infant can do so anonymously.
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Under the Safe Haven law in Alabama, a mother can safely surrender their child without being prosecuted within the first 45 days of the child's life. This can be done at any fire station or hospital, however, a Baby Box ensures the process is anonymous.
When a mother places an infant in a Safe Haven Baby Box and shuts the door, the child is safely locked inside, and an alarm sounds inside the hospital or fire station. This lets emergency personnel know that a child is inside.
When a child is placed inside, the goal is to have a first responder get to the child within a few minutes. The child is then immediately given a medical evaluation.
'We will make sure that baby is taken care of,' Decatur Morgan Hospital President Kelli Powers said.
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The new Baby Box in Decatur is the 16th to be installed in the state of Alabama. However, it is only the second to be installed at a hospital. All others are at fire stations.
Powers told News 19 that when the idea to bring a Baby Box to Decatur was brought up, the hospital seemed like the perfect location.
'We are open 24/7/365 and we already have infants here every day,' Powers said. 'We already have formula, diapers, everything the baby already needs right here.'
The Safe Haven organization was founded by Monica Kelsey. At the blessing of the new Baby Box on Monday, Kelsey shared her heartfelt story of being left as a baby.
She said she has made it her mission to ensure no infant is illegally surrendered or worse.
Kelsey said it is important to bring awareness to Safe Haven laws and to let mothers know what their options are. She said it is about giving a second chance to both the mother and the child.
'I will forever walk with these moms as they chose to do something safe for their kids,' Kelsey said. 'And I'll forever walk with these kids to show them their worth.'
The Baby Box in Decatur is now functional.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes have also recently been installed in Madison, Athens, and Muscle Shoals.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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