THE FOREST AREAS – Following a series of newborn abandonments in our area, authorities are trying to offer women in crisis situations more options to safely abandon their babies.
As part of this effort, the Woodlands Township Board is working to establish the first Safe Haven Baby Box in the Houston area.
Baby boxes are installed in the outside wall of a fire station or hospital. Babies can be dropped off by opening the box’s door and placing them in the temperature-controlled crib inside. After the outside door is closed, it locks and sets off three fail-safe alarms that notify staff in less than two minutes. Once they arrive, they pick up the newborn and take them to the nearest emergency room.
To ensure anonymity, there are no surveillance cameras installed around the Baby Boxes.
Dr. Shelley Sekula-Gibbs is a director on The Woodlands Township Council and was inspired to start a Baby Box after a shocking incident in the area.
“A “The baby was found in an urn in one of our ponds and it was a shock to me,” said Dr Sekula-Gibbs.
Although the baby was likely miscarried and could not be carried to term, Dr. Sekula-Gibbs began to think seriously about finding more options for women in crisis. After doing some research online, she came across Safe Haven Baby Boxes and knew The Woodlands needed one of its own.
“It’s completely anonymous and legal. And that’s the bottom line of it all. It’s legal and women have a right to have the option to give up their babies anonymously.”
According to SafeHaven.Org, a total of 51 babies have been safely placed in Baby Boxes across the United States.
Last year, three Baby Boxes were installed in Texas, in Abilene, Lubbock and, since last Wednesday, in Corsicana.
The Woodlands Township Board will vote on the budget for the Baby Box contract next week and Dr. Sekula-Gibbs said the installation will cost between $15,000 and $20,000.
“Hopefully no family will ever need this, but if they do, it’s wonderful to have a safe way to release your child into the loving arms of a new family.”
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