Parents praised for leaving infant in Safe Haven Baby Box

Officials in Florida have praised the parents of a newborn baby that was found in a baby surrender box.

Earlier this month, officials in Ocala found a baby in the state’s only Safe Haven Baby Box.

Fire Chief Clint Welborn revealed the baby was surrendered on January 5th.

Officials praised the child’s parents for using the Safe Haven Baby Box.

“The first thing that we want is we want to address the parents who legally surrendered this infant. And right now I’m going to talk directly to her or him.

“Thank you for keeping your child safe.”

“Thank you for bringing your child to a place that you knew was going to take care of this child. And thank you for doing what you felt was best.”

This is the first time the surrender box was used since it was introduced in 2020.

Firefighters safely removed the infant from the box. Following the discovery, they rushed the infant to hospital, but the baby is reportedly doing well.

Officials also confirmed that the baby will be put up for adoption.

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The Safe Haven Baby Box “legally permits a mother in crisis to safely, securely, and anonymously surrender a newborn who cannot be cared for.”

However, officials have stressed that it should be used as a last resort.

Founder of Safe Haven Baby Boxes Monica Kelsey also spoke following the discovery.

During a press conference, she explained that an “immediate signal” is sent once the door to the box is closed. After the box is closed, a signal is sent to firefighters immediately.

Babies are only inside the box for a minute and a half.