Florida installs new 'Baby Box' at Marion County fire station
Marion County Fire Rescue's new EMS Central fire station is now the home of a Safe Haven Baby Box, providing parents with an anonymous option for safely surrendering their newborns.
The fire department says it plans to install the baby boxes at two of its other local stations.
OCALA, Fla. - A Safe Haven Baby Box has been installed at a fire station in Marion County.
A Safe Haven Baby Box provides parents with an anonymous option for safely surrendering their newborns at local fire stations.
When a baby is placed inside the box, advanced technology immediately alerts first responders, who then provide prompt care and support for the child.
Monday marked Marion County Fire Rescue's dedication of its first baby box at EMS Central, located at 1400 SW 6th Ave in Ocala.
What they're saying"This Safe Haven Baby Box symbolizes hope, compassion, and safety. Its presence in our community reflects our mission to serve and protect every life in Marion County. We are honored to provide this critical resource to those in need." Marion County Fire Chief James Banta
Dig deeper
Monica Kelsey, the CEO of Safe Haven Baby Box, created the baby boxes to prevent illegal abandonment of newborns, with the organization's primary goal of raising awareness of the Safe Haven Law "through a variety of educational initiatives, public speaking engagements, and direct care provided to parents in crisis," according to the Safe Haven Baby Box's website.
RELATED STORY: Newborn surrendered at Florida fire station 'Baby Box'
It's a passion near to her heart, as she was abandoned at a small hospital just hours after her teen mother – who had been "brutally attacked, raped and left for dead on the side of the road" – gave birth.
By the numbers
The new baby box marks the 6th location in Florida. Marion County Fire Rescue said it plans to install more baby boxes at its Citra Fire Station #20 and its newly remodeled Golden Ocala Station #20.
There are over 100 baby boxes located across the United States. To find a location near you, click here.
The Source
This story was written based on information shared by Marion County Fire Rescue and the Safe Haven Baby Box's website.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
13-07-2025
- New York Post
Twisted Nevada mom, 28, accused of tossing newborn in dumpster –said abandoning child in trash ‘was her best option'
A warped Nevada mom was arrested for allegedly tossing her newborn into a dumpster and chillingly telling cops she believed abandoning the child in the trash was her 'best option,' according to police. Taylor Sierra Dickinson, 28, was slapped with attempted murder and other charges after tying her minutes-old baby boy in a garbage bag and deserting him in the trash bin in Sun Valley, where he was later found by a passerby and is now doing well, the Reno Gazette Journal reported. Police said the twisted Dickenson — who is married and already has two kids — allegedly claimed she didn't realize she was pregnant when she gave birth in a nearby bathroom on July 5 and reacted with 'panic and shock.' Advertisement 5 Taylor Sierra Dickinson, 28, was charged with attempted murder for abandoning her newborn in a dumpster. My News 4 'She had no knowledge of the gender, whether the child was breathing or moving,' Washoe County Sheriff's Detective Claire Hoops-Adams testified during a bail hearing Wednesday. 'According to her, the infant was wrapped completely in the towel and placed in the garbage bag. In her panic, she thought that was her best option.' Advertisement 5 The twisted mother allegedly tied her minutes-old baby boy in a garbage bag before deserting him. My News 4 Hoops-Adams noted that Dickinson allegedly admitted she didn't want any more children – but hoped someone would find the discarded infant, the outlet reported. 'She stated that she had no desire to have any more children, stating her family financially was living paycheck to paycheck at that point and they could not support an additional child,' the detective said, adding that Dickinson had previously miscarried in 2023 – and left the fetus in a garbage can. The forsaken newborn was discovered nearly 10 hours later when a good Samaritan heard cries and jumped into the waste receptacle to rescue the baby. Advertisement 5 First responders holding the discarded infant. My News 4 The child was rushed to Renown Regional Medical Center and is now in stable condition, according to the Washoe County Sheriff's Office. 'This child is alive today because of the swift and selfless actions of a community member who didn't hesitate to help,' Sheriff Darin Balaam said in a statement. 5 The baby was rushed to the hospital and is now in stable condition. My News 4 Advertisement 'We're incredibly grateful for their courage and quick thinking. I also want to remind our community that there are safe and legal options for anyone in crisis, no baby should ever be left in danger.' Police said parents are legally allowed to surrender an infant to any hospital, fire station or law enforcement agency within 30 days of birth under the state's Safe Haven Law. 5 Nevada law allows parents to safely surrender newborns at hospitals and police stations. My News 4 Dickinson was arrested Sunday and also charged with child abuse, neglect or endangerment. She is being held on a $1 million cash-only bail.
Miami Herald
07-07-2025
- Miami Herald
Crying in parking lot leads to discovery of newborn in dumpster, Nevada cops say
A passerby discovered a crying newborn in a dumpster in Nevada, deputies said. The worried person called 911 at about 1 p.m. July 5 in Sun Valley, the Washoe County Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post. They had been in a parking lot when they heard crying, deputies said. The witness followed the cries to a dumpster where they found the abandoned child, climbed in and removed the infant, the sheriff's office said. Deputies said the baby was taken to a hospital where the child was listed in 'good condition.' In the post, the sheriff's office reminded individuals of Nevada's Safe Haven Law, under which 'a parent may legally surrender an infant, no questions asked at any hospital, fire station, or law enforcement agency within 30 days of birth,' deputies said. The sheriff's office did not immediately respond to McClatchy News' request for more information on July 7. Authorities are investigating the incident and ask anyone with information to call the sheriff's office at 775-785-9276, the detective division at 775-328-3320 or Secret Witness at 775-322-4900. The case number is #25-3244. Sun Valley is about a 5-mile drive northeast from downtown Reno.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Blair County Coroner: Remains of baby Agnes Doe exhumed for DNA
Above is a related video and coverage from the Respect for Life March that honored the life of Baby Agnes Doe. BLAIR COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — The Blair County Coroner announced that the remains of a baby that was found in 1987 have been exhumed for DNA. In 1987, an infant was discovered in a dumpster in Bellwood, and despite a police investigation, the mother was never found. That baby, commonly called Agnes Doe, has remained unidentified for over 30 years. The Blair County Coroner's Office shared that on Tuesday, June 10, along with Pennsylvania State Police, the remains were exhumed, and that they hope to use current DNA analysis tools to find a familial match. They added that anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Hollidaysburg State Police Crime Unit. Pennsylvania has a Safe Haven Law, which gives parents a safe, legal alternative to abandoning their baby. You can call the helpline 1-866-921-SAFE (7233) before you give birth so they can explain your options and help you find services in your area. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
