Safe Haven laws allow parents to safely hand over their newborns
Many states now have so-called safe haven laws that allow parents to safely give up their baby without being prosecuted.
USA TODAY
INDIANAPOLIS — Many have heard of the dead little girl found in Eagle Creek Park wearing only a blue sweatshirt. Her story has been told across the country.
Amelia Grace Hope – the name given to the infant in “He Knows Your Name” as a tribute to famous pilot Amelia Earhart – was found by a hiker on a cold afternoon in December 2014.
“When I saw it was a Vincennes University Aviation sweatshirt, I knew I had to name her Amelia,” said Linda Znachko, founder of He Knows Your Name, an organization dedicated to naming and properly burying unidentified children.
Forensic pathologist: Cause and manner of death of the baby unknown
Baby Amelia’s footprint serves as the logo for the Safe Haven Baby Box and her heart-shaped tombstone is located in front of the baby box at Fire Station 84 in Wayne Township.
“Every mother who chooses to leave her baby safely in a crate or at a fire station will see this footprint,” Znachko said.
Wayne Townships Baby Boxes
The Wayne Township Fire Department held a press conference Wednesday afternoon at Station 84 to announce the installation of the new Safe Haven Baby Boxes in its remaining four fire stations. Thanks to private donations, the department is the first in the country to have Baby Boxes in all of its fire stations.
These are the 252nd, 253rd, 254th and 255th Safe Haven Baby Boxes in the country. More than half of the country’s Safe Haven Boxes – 136 – are in Indiana.
Related: 2 dead babies buried outdoors in unmarked graves. How they changed Indiana law
Safe Haven Baby Boxes provide a safe and confidential place where parents can drop off their newborn, no questions asked. This initiative aims to prevent infant abandonment and ensure that every child has the chance of a safe and loving home.
In March 2023, a newborn was delivered to the Ward 82 department, where the township’s first baby ward was set up in 2021.
Carmel, Indiana: More babies are left behind in this baby box in Indiana than anywhere else in the country
“One year later, the family brought the baby to Station 82 and spent a Saturday afternoon with our firefighters who saved the baby’s life,” said Wayne Township Trustee Jeb Bardon. “The baby was not in the best shape when it was put in the crate. The alarm went off and the firefighters from Station 82 were there in less than a minute to provide first aid.”
Handing over an infant to a Safe Haven baby box
Under state law, healthy infants younger than 30 days old can be turned over to emergency responders without requiring any information from the person dropping off the baby. After a medical evaluation, the Indiana Department of Child Services takes custody of the infant and places him or her in the care of a caregiver.
Wayne Township Safe Haven Baby Box Locations
Wayne Township Fire Department, Station 84 – 7606 West 10th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46214
Wayne Township Fire Department, Station 85 – 7981 Crawfordsville Road, Indianapolis, IN 46214
Wayne Township Fire Department, Station 83 – 7301 W. Morris St., Indianapolis, IN 46231
Wayne Township Fire Department, Station 81 – 4302 Bradbury Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46241
Wayne Township has a total of five stations in the West Central Indianapolis area. The first Safe Haven Baby Box was unveiled at Station 82 on West Washington Street in 2021. Safe Haven offers free confidential counseling to mothers by calling the hotline at 1-866-99BABY1.
Jade Jackson is a public safety reporter for the Indianapolis Star. You can email her at [email protected] and follow her on X, formerly Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON.
