The state’s first infant rescue box will be dedicated Aug. 8 in south St. Louis County.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes, a safety device that allows mothers in crisis to safely place a newborn in a secured incubator if they cannot care for the child themselves. Baby boxes are installed on the exterior walls of designated fire stations or hospitals with an exterior door that automatically locks when a newborn is placed in the box. An interior door allows medical staff to retrieve the surrendered newborn from inside the building.
The first baby box in Missouri will be installed during a dedication ceremony Tuesday, Aug. 8 at the Mehlville Fire Protection District Engine House No. 2, 5434 Telegraph Road, 63129.
Rep. Jim Murphy, R-Oakville, sponsored the legislation establishing Safe Haven Baby Boxes, which was passed into law in 2021.
“This life-saving measure can greatly affect the lives of both children and parents,” Murphy stated in a press release. “By placing these baby boxes in Missouri, we can offer an alternative option … This is a major step in the fight against child abandonment …”
