Montgomery opens drop-off box where parents can surrender infants
Montgomery opened the city's first Safe Haven Baby Box on May 29, an area designed for parents to safely and anonymously surrender infants.
This is the 17th baby box in Alabama, said Caitlin Kelly, a representative with Safe Haven. Four infants have been surrendered this way throughout the state.
Nationally, there are 347 baby boxes, where 59 infants have been surrendered.
Montgomery's baby box is at the newly opened Fire Station 10, at 1920 S. Court St. The box allows parents to legally surrender infants younger than 45 days old. When someone surrenders an infant, an alarm goes off alerting the firefighters. The box is temperature-controlled.
More: Prattville Safe Haven Baby Box Prattville fire station adds 'no shame' newborn drop-off box for babies
In 2024, Safe Haven opened its first box in the state in Madison. A day later, the organization opened another in Prattville.
"The Safe Haven Baby Box, now installed at Fire Station No. 10, represents our city's commitment to meeting people where they are, even in moments of fear, crisis or deep uncertainty," Mayor Steven Reed said. "This box provides a safe, anonymous and legal option for a parent who may feel they have nowhere else to turn. It offers a way forward when someone is overwhelmed and just doesn't know what to do and protects the life of a newborn who deserves love, care and a future."
Alex Gladden is the Montgomery Advertiser's education reporter. She can be reached at agladden@gannett.com or on Twitter @gladlyalex.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Montgomery opens site for parents to legally surrender infants
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