Safe Haven Baby Boxes Launches First Baby Box in Kentucky

Okolona Fire Protection District Installs First Safe Haven Baby Box in Kentucky

(File Photo)

LOUISVILLE KENTUCKY: On March 25, 2021, Governor Andy Beshear, signed House Bill 155, expanding the Safe Haven Law in Kentucky to allow for safe surrender of a baby anonymously in newborn safety devices at hospitals and fire stations across Kentucky. This gives mothers and parents in crisis another safe option if they can not care for their infant. Representative Nancy Tate fought hard to get House Bill 155 passed, as well as Kentucky Local Teen Isabella Lamkin, who formed a petition to get the Baby Box Bill passed. Isabella was abandoned as a child and has been very vocal in support of the safe haven laws, as well as the efforts of Safe Haven Baby Boxes. The 74 th Safe Haven Baby Box in the nation is going live at Okolona Fire Station #1 located at 8501 Preston Highway Louisville, KY 40219. The Baby Box will be made available to the public starting on July 1st, 2021 after the community unveiling at 9:30am EST. This is the 1 st Safe Haven Baby Box in Kentucky. Click here for Safe Haven Baby Box locations. Safe Haven Baby Boxes Inc. is a non-profit founded by firefighter/medic Monica Kelsey. Kelsey was abandoned as an infant and is committed to ending illegal infant abandonment in the country. The Safe Haven Baby Boxes organization offers a Safe Haven National Crisis Hotline (1-866-99BABY1) and is available 24/7/365. It offers counseling services to a parent who is unable or unwilling to care for their newborn. Safe Haven education is at the heart of its mission to raise awareness of the law in communities across America. “Safe Haven Baby Boxes works hard to ensure that every parent knows that this last resort option is available to them. We will not stop until every parent knows all their options including a Safe Haven surrender. We are grateful that Kentucky has joined seven other states to expand safe haven laws, and we are proud to partner with Okolona Fire Department, which has joined 73 other baby box locations. There is no doubt that Okolona is taking a proactive approach to infant abandonment in our country.”, says Monica Kelsey. This Project was made possible by a fundraiser started by Isabella Lamkin, and a donation from The Zonta Club of Louisville. Lane Contracting, All in One Security, and Louisville Metro Safe donated time and materials for the installation of the baby box. “Okolona Fire Protection District is honored to be able to provide a Safe Haven Baby Box to our Community. We are in the business of saving lives, and this Baby-Box is another tool that will allow us to do just that. This truly is a proactive resource we are providing to the Community for those who feel they have no other options,” said Fire Chief, Mark Little. 12 infants have been placed in a Baby Box in the last three years; Nationwide, 100 surrenders have resulted from calling the Safe Haven Baby Boxes National hotline. Six of the 12 Baby Box surrenders took place in 2020 alone. Safe Haven Baby Boxes are currently available in Indiana, Ohio, Arkansas, Florida, and now Kentucky. For any questions Monica Kelsey will be on sight at this blessing. For more information please contact Monica at monicakelsey@safehavenbabyboxes.com WHAT: Safe Haven Baby Box Unveiling & Community Blessing in Louisville, Kentucky WHEN: July 1st, 2021 at 9:30AM EST WHERE: Okolona Fire Station #1 located at 8501 Preston Highway Louisville, KY 40219 SPEAKERS INCLUDED: Monica Kelsey, Safe Haven Baby Boxes Nancy Tate, Kentucky State Representative, District 27 Isabella Lamkin, Safe Haven Baby Box Teen Spokesperson Mark Little, Chief, Okolona Fire Department Chaplain Wayne Bishop, Jefferson County Fire Chaplains