A new Safe Haven Baby Box is now open at the Gadsden Fire Station #3.
Community members joined Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford Thursday for the opening of the box.
“We’re excited about this,” Ford said. “We’re the third one in the state that’s been able to do this.”
State Rep. Donna Givens (R-Loxley) sponsored the bill that was signed into law last year allowing baby boxes to be placed across the state. Parents can surrender their babies up to 45 days after birth with no questions asked.
The state program will ensure that babies placed in safe haven boxes are cared for until they are placed in a home.
Ford said he hoped the baby box would never have to be used, but it is nice to have it just in case.
“There is no security camera when you come in, so it is anonymous,” Ford explained. “If you want to relinquish or give up your baby, you’re able to come to the baby box, open the door, put the infant in the box and an alarm goes off within the fire department.”
Fire Station #3 is at 300 Garden Street in Gadsden.
Kids to Love raised donations to make the Gadsden box possible. The City of Gadsden will install a second box at another fire station.
A box in Madison has already been used twice this year, according to officials. In 2023, 17 babies were surrendered in baby boxes nationwide.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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