STATE HOUSE (April 9, 2018) — Another baby was discovered April 8 in the Coolspring Township Volunteer Fire Department’s Safe Haven Baby Box in LaPorte County, said State Sen. Jim Merritt (R-Indianapolis).
Merritt authored the Indiana Safe Haven Law in 2000, which allows parents who feel unable to care for an infant less than 30 days old to leave the child with staff at a designated safe haven location with no questions asked.
“It is incredible to hear another infant’s life has been saved through the Safe Haven Law,” Merritt said. “This law provides overwhelmed parents with a safety net in a time of crisis, which could prevent the death of a baby. This is the second time in five months a baby has been discovered at this fire station, which shows people are aware of this law and this system is saving lives.”
The Safe Haven Law enables a person to give up an unwanted infant anonymously without fear of arrest or prosecution. As long as there are no signs of intentional abuse on the baby, no information is required of the person leaving the baby. Once the baby is examined and given medical treatment, if needed, the Indiana Department of Child Services will take the baby into custody through Child Protective Services where it will be placed with a caregiver.
During the 2018 legislative session, the Indiana General Assembly passed Senate Enrolled Act 340, which allows fire stations that are staffed 24 hours a day to use baby boxes. Baby boxes are safety incubators where mothers can anonymously surrender their newborn babies. This legislation expands the program, allowing any staffed 24/7 fire station to install these boxes.
For more information on the Safe Haven Law, click here.
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A high-resolution photo of State Sen. Jim Merritt is available by clicking here.
