During a recent government meeting, Lieutenant Jake Pemberton of the Norwalk Fire Department presented a proposal for the installation of a Safe Haven Baby Box, a project aimed at providing a secure option for parents in crisis to surrender newborns safely and anonymously. The initiative, inspired by Monica Kelsey, who was abandoned as an infant, seeks to prevent infant abandonment and ensure the safety of vulnerable children.

The Safe Haven Baby Box allows parents to leave their newborns at designated locations, such as hospitals and fire stations, without fear of prosecution for abandonment, as long as the child is under 90 days old. In Iowa, there have been ten successful surrenders in 2023, with two occurring in early 2024. However, the state has also seen tragic instances of abandoned infants, highlighting the need for such a facility.

The proposed baby box features a medical bassinet equipped with temperature control and a silent alarm system that alerts first responders when a baby is placed inside. The box is designed to ensure the safety and confidentiality of the surrendering parent, with a five-minute response time for emergency services.

The project is estimated to cost approximately $15,000 for the box itself, plus additional expenses for installation and annual fees. Lieutenant Pemberton emphasized the importance of community support and fundraising efforts to make the initiative a reality. He noted that Norwalk would be the first city in the metro area to have a Safe Haven Baby Box, following Fort Dodge, which installed the first in the state.

The council expressed appreciation for the thorough presentation and acknowledged the potential benefits of the baby box for the community. As discussions continue, the fire department is seeking permission to pursue fundraising and further support from local organizations to bring this vital resource to Norwalk.