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First Safe Haven Baby Box officially installed at central Indiana fire station

Posted at 10:50 PM, Jul 30, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-31 12:02:26-04

DECATUR TOWNSHIP, Ind. -- The first Safe Haven Baby Box in central Indiana is officially in service. 

The box at the Decatur Township Fire Department on Foltz Street is the third one in the state of Indiana, and the first one to be located in central Indiana. The box was supposed to be installed in early July, but the placement was delayed because of some technical issues. 

READ | Newborn surrendered to Decatur Twp. fire station | What happens to Indiana's 'Safe Haven' babies?

Baby boxes are safe incubators where parents can anonymously surrender their newborn babies. They have alarm systems, so 911 is notified as soon as a baby is placed inside. The baby boxes also have heating and cooling features. 

Indiana's Safe Haven law allows people to anonymously surrender their healthy infants at any fire station in the state without fear of criminal prosecution. 

Even before the box was installed, a baby was safely surrendered at the fire station on July 1. 

Safe Haven Baby Boxes hopes to install at least ten more boxes in the state by the end of 2018. 

The Safe Haven Baby Box organization also staffs a 24-hour hotline (1-866-99BABY1), so people can talk to trained professionals about possibly surrendering their baby.

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