Franciscan Health Hammond (Ind.) unveiled its first Safe Haven Baby Box Aug. 7, which provides a last resort for women in crisis to discreetly and safely deposit their babies, according to The Chicago Tribune.
The ceremony unveiling the box included a blessing from a Catholic priest and a speech from Monica Kasley, founder and CEO of Safe Haven Baby Boxes, which started in 2016. LaHayne Funeral Home in Hammond donated the money to install the box because "they were tired of burying babies," Ms. Kasley said.
The Safe Haven Baby Box is located outside the Women's Specialty Center and Renal Dialysis Center entrance at the hospital. A silent alarm alerts staff when a baby is placed inside. A battery back-up is in place in case of a power failure.
Indiana's Safe Haven Law mandates that people can deliver newborn babies to any hospital emergency room, police station or fire station without being arrested, prosecuted or asked any questions. Some women are still fearful of taking babies to these locations, however.