Safe Haven Baby Box open at Joplin Firehouse 7
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Joplin is taking a significant step to protect the lives of vulnerable infants with the upcoming installation of a Safe Haven Baby Box. The initiative, part of the nationwide Safe Haven Law, allows parents in crisis to anonymously and safely surrender their newborns without fear of prosecution.
“I am absolutely proud,” Joplin Fire Chief Gerald Ezell said to NewsTalk KZRG when asked what it meant to provide this resource in the four-state area. “Like I said, the outpouring of the community that came in here provided the donations that we needed to get this up and running. It’s incredible the amount of support we had from the community.”
“The great thing about this program is when these infants are surrendered like this, it provides an opportunity for somebody to adopt that child and provide it with a good life again. I can’t imagine what a parent goes through to make that decision that the best choice for my child is to give them up for adoption. So having this resource here, it’s incredible. It truly is awesome to have this.”
The baby box will be located at a Firehouse 7 in Joplin, where it will provide a secure, climate-controlled, and monitored space for infants.
“[Firehouse 7] is a brand new station,” Joplin Fire Chief Gerald Ezell said. “We put this online and the baby box was installed during the completion of the construction out here. Also, it’s kind of on the outskirts of Joplin. It’s not in the middle of town. So, somebody who’s making that difficult decision is going to be way more apt to utilize a box that’s out away from the, you know, the traffic area.”
Fundraising and community support have played a pivotal role in bringing the baby box to Joplin. Local organizations and donors have stepped forward to cover the costs of installation and maintenance. The effort underscores the community’s dedication to creating a safer environment for all children.
“So, there was a whole lot of work that went on behind the scenes,” Joplin Fire Chief Gerald Ezell said. “I had an incredible group of folks here. … They all went out and they sought donations from people. We wanted to do this all strictly off donations and not ask the city for a budget amendment of any kind. And we were able to raise about 15 and a half thousand dollars to get this project completed.”
Designed for the safety and well-being of babies, the box allows parents to open a door and place their child inside. Once the box is closed, it locks automatically, and an alert notifies emergency personnel, ensuring the baby receives immediate care and attention.
“So, all a mom or a dad has to do is walk up to the baby box, open up the door, place their unharmed infant inside, shut the door, and walk away,” Safe Haven Baby Boxes assistant project coordinator Mariah Betz said to NewsTalk KZRG. “And then the fire department will step in and take care of the baby and transport the baby to the hospital.
“We have saved 55 babies in our boxes. So, the program is working right. We just have to get more boxes out there and educate these kids on the Safe Haven law and on the Safe Haven baby boxes.
This addition to Joplin’s community resources reflects a growing trend across Missouri and the country. Communities have embraced the Safe Haven Baby Boxes as a compassionate way to offer struggling parents a secure and judgment-free option to ensure their child’s safety.
Joplin city officials and community advocates have rallied around this effort, noting the potential to save lives and prevent unsafe abandonments. Fire department representatives emphasized their commitment to providing a swift and caring response when a box is used.
The Safe Haven Law, enacted in Missouri in 2002, permits parents to surrender a baby up to 45 days old at a hospital, fire station, or law enforcement agency. The baby box expands this option, offering 24/7 accessibility and complete anonymity.
For parents facing challenges, the Safe Haven Baby Box represents a lifeline. For Joplin, it symbolizes a collective commitment to compassion, safety, and the well-being of the city’s youngest residents.
There are currently 311 Safe Haven Baby Boxes across the country and six in Missouri. There are currently future plans for a second baby box in Joplin at Firehouse 6 as well as a baby box in Carthage.