Fruitland Fire District adds anonymous Safe Haven Baby Box
FOX23 News at 9 p.m.
JACKSON, Mo. (KBSI) — The Fruitland Area Fire Protection District will dedicate a new Safe Haven Baby Box on Tuesday, giving parents in crisis a safe and anonymous option to surrender an infant.
The baby box, located at 7273 U.S. 61 in Jackson, provides a secure environment where infants can be safely placed and immediately cared for. It is one of 386 Safe Haven Baby Box locations nationwide, including nine in Missouri.
The project was made possible through the efforts of the Jeremiah 29:11 Foundation, which worked with community partners to bring the resource to Jackson.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes was founded by Monica Kelsey, who said the initiative is about saving lives through preparation and compassion.
“We have seen time and time again that preparation can save and change lives,” Kelsey said. “We never know when or where we will be needed, so it is crucial to have options for mothers in crisis. I am grateful for local advocates who take our mission to their community.”
Since 2017, 69 infants have been surrendered through baby boxes nationwide, while the organization’s national hotline — 1-866-99BABY1 — has assisted in more than 150 handoff surrenders. Surrendered infants are adopted through the state foster-to-adopt system in coordination with the Department of Family Services.
For more information, contact Monica Kelsey at monicakelsey@safehavenbabyboxes.com.
