Bonner County commissioners have approved a lease service agreement for the installation of a baby box, a device that allows parents to safely and anonymously surrender their infants. The decision was made during a Tuesday meeting, marking a significant step in providing parents in crisis with a secure, anonymous option for relinquishing their newborns. The baby box will be installed at the new Emergency Medical Services (EMS) station located at 521 S. Division Avenue in Sandpoint.
The project is backed by the Life Choices Pregnancy Center, a local nonprofit organization, whose donors have provided funding for both the purchase and ongoing maintenance of the device. According to Janine Shepard, the executive director of Life Choices Pregnancy Center, the initiative has been in the works for months and is now moving forward with the commissioners’ approval.
“This has been a many months-long project,” said Bonner County EMS Chief Jeff Lindsey, who has been closely involved in the effort. “It’s a safe way for someone who’s thinking of giving up their baby to be able to do it with anonymity.”
The baby box is among the first of its kind in Idaho, with the state passing legislation allowing their use earlier this year on July 1. The new law provides guidelines for Safe Haven sites, which include hospitals and emergency medical stations, allowing parents to surrender infants younger than 30 days old without facing legal repercussions. The baby box at the EMS station will offer an additional layer of anonymity for parents seeking to relinquish their newborns safely.
Addressing Parental Anonymity and Infant Safety
The baby box is designed with safety in mind. Once a baby is placed inside, the climate-controlled box automatically alerts local authorities by calling 911. The exterior door locks immediately after the infant is placed inside, ensuring no one else can access the baby until emergency responders arrive. According to Bonner County EMS, their team is committed to responding to calls related to the baby box within five minutes.
Upon retrieval, the baby will be transported to a medical facility where professionals will assess the child’s health and provide any necessary care. The aim of the device is not only to protect the anonymity of parents but also to ensure that abandoned infants receive prompt and professional care.
“If the box were not here, that doesn’t keep the baby from showing up,” Lindsey explained during the meeting, emphasizing that the presence of the box provides a safer, more controlled option for parents who may otherwise be forced to abandon their child in more dangerous circumstances.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
During the commissioners’ meeting, Board Chair Asia Williams expressed concerns about the location of the baby box and the county’s liability for the health and wellbeing of an infant placed inside. While she voiced support for the concept, Williams questioned whether the EMS station was the ideal location for such a device, suggesting that a hospital might offer additional protection for both the baby and the mother.
“Yes, the anonymity is what you’re looking for, but you can achieve that in the hospital while adding an additional line of protection for the baby,” Williams said during the discussion.
Williams’ comments sparked a broader conversation about liability and the county’s role in protecting vulnerable infants. Public commenters at the meeting voiced strong support for the baby box, urging commissioners to accept the potential risks involved in order to potentially save lives.
Dennis Engelhardt, one of the public speakers, compared the situation to the responsibilities of law enforcement officers. “When the sheriff dispatches people to a call, he doesn’t sit down and look at his account or the liability,” Engelhardt said. “He performs his statutory duty, and he sends people to help — whoever it is.”
Engelhardt’s remarks resonated with many in attendance, reinforcing the sentiment that the priority should be on saving lives rather than focusing on potential legal or financial risks.
“I think we should not be so concerned about possible liability and be more concerned about protecting our citizens, of which this child is,” Engelhardt added.
Balancing Risk with Responsibility
In response to concerns about liability, Williams proposed an amendment to the agreement that would require Bonner County’s risk management team, EMS, and law enforcement to sign off on the baby box installation before it becomes operational. However, her suggestion was met with opposition from the other commissioners.
Commissioners Luke Omodt and Steve Korn both expressed their support for the agreement in its original form, arguing that the potential benefits far outweigh the concerns raised. Ultimately, the two commissioners voted in favor of the agreement as it stood, while Williams abstained from the final vote.
“I only abstained because I want to get the risks mitigated before we move forward. It’s a fantastic idea,” Williams clarified after the vote. Her abstention reflected a desire to ensure all potential legal and safety risks are fully addressed before the baby box is put into use.
Next Steps for Installation
Now that the agreement has been approved, the next phase of the project will involve purchasing and installing the baby box. According to Life Choices Pregnancy Center’s executive director Janine Shepard, the box is expected to arrive within six to eight weeks after it is ordered. Once it arrives, it will be installed at the EMS station on Division Avenue.
The installation of the baby box in Bonner County represents a significant milestone in Idaho’s efforts to provide more options for parents in crisis. As one of the first baby boxes in the state, it sets a precedent for other counties to follow, potentially leading to a broader network of safe, anonymous surrender sites across Idaho.
In the months ahead, Bonner County officials, local EMS teams, and nonprofit organizations will work together to ensure the baby box is fully operational and ready to serve the community. By offering parents a safe, anonymous way to surrender their newborns, the baby box aims to protect vulnerable infants and provide a life-saving option for parents in need.
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