Safe Haven Baby Box unveiled at Corbin Fire Department

If you find yourself as a parent facing circumstances that make it challenging to raise your infant child, please be aware that Corbin now offers a safe and anonymous option for surrendering your child to the authorities, ensuring their well-being and your peace of mind. This solution provides a way for you to make the best decision for your child without having to worry about any legal consequences.

Maggie Moore, a North Laurel High School senior, was initially born in South Korea, but was surrendered to a local hospital. SIx months later she was adopted. She has pushed for the Baby Box. She said that she believes this installment will save the lives of babies in our community.

To protect vulnerable infants and support mothers in crisis, the Safe Haven Baby Boxes (SHBB) hosted a blessing ceremony to install Kentucky’s 17th Baby Box and Safe Haven’s 147^th Baby Box in the nation.

The event occurred on Monday, May 22, at the Corbin Fire Department at 805 South Main Street.

The Baby Box is a crucial resource for infants and mothers, who wish to conceal their identity, offering a 100 percent anonymous and secure surrender process.

Illegal abandonment of infants has tragically led to the prosecution of parents and, in many heartbreaking cases, the loss of innocent lives.

The presence of Baby Boxes provides a safe haven for women facing crises, enabling them to surrender their infants without fear of legal repercussions.

The Baby Box, accessible 24/7 and prominently located on the front of the Corbin Fire Department building, facilitate legal, safe, and anonymous infant surrenders under the provisions of the Safe Haven Law.

Equipped with three silent alarms, the Baby Box alerts first responders within moments of a surrendered infant being placed inside. First responders promptly attend to the baby, ensuring their well-being, and transfer them to a hospital for medical evaluation. Following this evaluation, the infants are placed with families who have enrolled in the foster care system with the intent to adopt.

Jack Partin, Battalion Chief for the Corbin Fire Department, was one of the speakers at a special ceremony Monday where Corbin’s new Safe Haven Baby Box was unveiled.

SHBB is the only organization in the nation dedicated to providing an anonymous surrender option for mothers in crisis.

Monica Kelsey, who founded of SHBB in 2016, discovered in adulthood that she was abandoned as an infant. Since that time, she has made it her life’s mission to end infant abandonment and advocate for the Safe Haven Law.

Kelsey’s inspiring journey and unwavering dedication to protecting vulnerable infants are a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion and support for those facing challenging circumstances.

“I stand on the front lines of this movement as one of these kids that wasn’t lovingly, safely, and anonymously surrendered in a safe haven baby box. But today, I am giving parents this option, and these kids an opportunity to live their best lives with their adopted families once these kids are placed,” Kelsey said.

The organization educates citizens about the Safe Haven Law and offers free and confidential counseling through their hotline at 1-866-99BABY1.

Kentucky, tied with Arkansas for the second-highest number of Baby Boxes in the nation, has demonstrated a commitment to protecting vulnerable infants.

The City of Corbin, in collaboration with the Corbin Fire Department, has played a pivotal role in making this project a reality. Jack Partin, Battalion Chief of the Corbin Fire Department, and Lieutenant Tyler Tye have been instrumental in the initiative’s success.

Grants and the generous funding provided by the CHI St. Joe London Nurturing Children Program, under the guidance of Mollie Harris, Violence Prevention Coordinator, have made this significant achievement possible. The City of Corbin and Jara Burkhart also deserve recognition for their contributions.

Since 2017, 29 infants have been safely placed in Baby Boxes, while the National Safe Haven Baby Box hotline has facilitated 131 successful surrenders nationwide, including Knox, an infant who was there at the event and has been successfully adopted by a new family.

The SHBB is available in Indiana, Ohio, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.

The addition of the Corbin Baby Box expands the network of resources available to mothers in crisis, offering them a viable option to ensure the well-being of their infants.

The blessing ceremony for the Corbin Fire Department Baby Box featured notable speakers who have played pivotal roles in making this initiative a reality. Kelsey; Fire Chief McDonald, who ensured safety for the infants; Jack Partin, Battalion Chief of the Corbin Fire Department, who became emotional after ensuring that the baby box does work; Marlon Sams, the Corbin City Manager, who expressed his thankfulness for the Corbin Fire Department; and Mollie Harris, Violence Prevention Coordinator, who was able to help make this significant achievement possible.

Maggie Moore, a North Laurel High School senior in London, also spoke at the ceremony. This past school year, the 13^th Region Family Career Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) chapter met in September and was educated by Kelsey. Ever since then, she has pushed for the Baby Box. Moore was initially born in Seoul, South Korea, and was surrendered to a local hospital. Six months later, she was adopted in London, KY.

“I believe that this installment will truly benefit our community and save lives. We are so excited that the City of Corbin has taken charge in the fight against infant abandonment,” Moore said.

The ceremony included a special blessing by Pastor Mike Addison from New Hope Ministries, emphasizing the significance of providing a safe haven for infants in need.

The event allows the public to witness firsthand the positive impact a Baby Box can have on a community.

“This box is now available for women in this community and beyond. This box offers no shame, no blame, and no names,” Kesley noted.

For more information, contact Monica Kelsey at monicakelsey@safehavenbabyboxes.com.

You can also visit Safe Haven Baby Boxes’ official website at www.shbb.org for additional details on their program.

Connect with Safe Haven Baby Boxes on social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok for updates and informative content.