In a unanimous decision, the Collier County Commission approved the installation of a Safe Haven Baby Box during their Tuesday meeting. The approved funding, approximately $22,000, will go toward constructing a climate-controlled box where parents can anonymously leave an infant, ensuring the child’s safety as a last resort. The box will be located at Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Station 76, situated at the intersection of Vanderbilt Beach Road and Logan Boulevard in northern Collier County.
This development marks a significant step toward expanding the Safe Haven Baby Box program, a nonprofit initiative that has gained traction across the country. Collier County’s move reflects a growing recognition of the need for secure and anonymous options for parents facing desperate circumstances. The installation is expected to be completed within the coming weeks.
A Life-Changing Mission: The Story Behind the Initiative
The Safe Haven Baby Box initiative has deep personal roots for its founder, Monica Kelsey. During Tuesday’s meeting, Kelsey shared the emotional story that drives her passion for the program.
“For people to really understand the mission and where the drive comes from, I’ve got to go back a lot of years,” Kelsey began, recounting a traumatic event from August 1972. A 17-year-old girl, brutally attacked and raped, gave birth to a child in April 1973. Overwhelmed and scared, the young mother abandoned her newborn just two hours after the birth. That child was Monica Kelsey.
Now, Kelsey stands as a vocal advocate for children born into desperate circumstances and for the mothers who are often left with very few options. “This is my legacy, and I am now their voice,” she said. “I will forever walk alongside these moms who choose something safe for their child.”
Founded in 2016, Kelsey’s nonprofit has installed nearly 300 Safe Haven Baby Boxes at EMS stations, fire stations, and police headquarters across 20 states. These boxes are designed to offer a safe and legal alternative for mothers who feel they have no other choice but to abandon their baby. Since the initiative’s inception, more than 200 newborns have been safely recovered through the program, either through direct placement in the boxes or by being surrendered to staff.
Providing a Last-Resort Option
Kelsey made it clear that the Safe Haven Baby Box is not intended to be the first option for mothers in crisis, but rather the final safety net. “The alternative is a dumpster,” Kelsey emphasized during her presentation to the Collier County Commission. “The baby box is a last-resort option. If the alternative is a dumpster, I think everyone would agree that this is a good option.”
The box provides anonymity and a safe, climate-controlled environment, ensuring the baby’s health and well-being until first responders can take over. “We don’t want this to be her first option. We want her to look at all of her options,” Kelsey explained, highlighting the goal of providing support and resources for mothers before they feel the need to use the box.
The installation of the box in Collier County is seen as a preventive measure, offering mothers a dignified way to surrender their child without fear of legal repercussions or public shame. This option can save lives, preventing tragic outcomes like babies being abandoned in unsafe environments.
Inspiring Stories of Hope
The Commission’s approval was accompanied by a powerful video presentation from program advocates, sharing the story of an emergency medical technician (EMT) in Ocala who adopted a baby left in a Safe Haven Baby Box. The emotional account of the EMT’s experience demonstrated the profound impact these boxes can have on families, giving babies a chance at life in loving homes.
Ocala’s baby box, the first installed in the area, has already been used successfully. The story of the EMT who adopted the child left there touched many in the room, serving as a reminder of the program’s importance and the life-changing opportunities it can provide for both babies and adoptive families.
County Commissioner Chris Hall, who represents District 2 and sponsored the initiative, was particularly moved by the story. “That baby box was in Ocala, and that was the first one that had been implemented and used at that location,” Hall shared. “It inspired me … this allows the mother full anonymity and no shame. No harm, no foul. It’s a happy ending for everyone.”
A Step Forward for Collier County
The installation of the Safe Haven Baby Box in Collier County is a vital addition to the county’s emergency services and resources for mothers in crisis. Once the box is operational, it will be the first of its kind in the area, providing a much-needed safety net for vulnerable infants and their families.
Construction of the box is expected to be completed within the next few weeks. Following the installation, a customary “blessing ceremony” will be held, organized by the Safe Haven Baby Box nonprofit. These ceremonies are a tradition at all new Safe Haven locations, offering a moment of reflection and hope for the lives the boxes may save.
Commissioner Hall expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “This initiative ensures that every child has a chance for a safe and loving future. It’s about giving the most vulnerable a second chance, and we’re proud to be a part of this effort.”
Expanding the Safe Haven Baby Box Program Nationwide
The Safe Haven Baby Box program has seen rapid expansion since its founding, with installations across 20 states. The boxes provide mothers in crisis with a safe and legal way to surrender their child anonymously, offering peace of mind and protection from legal consequences.
Each box is equipped with climate control to keep the baby safe, as well as a silent alarm that notifies first responders within minutes of a child being placed inside. This ensures that the baby receives immediate medical attention while maintaining the mother’s anonymity.
In states where Safe Haven Baby Boxes have been installed, the program has garnered widespread support from both public officials and local communities. In addition to providing an essential service for mothers in need, the boxes serve as a powerful reminder of the value of every life and the importance of community-based solutions to complex social issues.
A Vision for the Future
For Monica Kelsey and the Safe Haven Baby Box nonprofit, the installation in Collier County is just one step in a broader mission to ensure that every community has access to this life-saving resource. With nearly 300 boxes already in place and more planned for the future, the organization is committed to expanding its reach and impact across the country.
As Kelsey continues her work, her personal story remains a driving force behind the program’s success. “I am living proof that every life is worth saving,” she said. “These boxes give mothers an option when they feel they have none. And for the babies, it’s a chance at life.”
For Collier County, the new Safe Haven Baby Box represents hope, safety, and a commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of the community. As the box is set to be installed in the coming weeks, local officials and advocates look forward to the impact it will have, ensuring that no child is ever left without a safe place to call home.
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