Deerfield Township dedicates second Safe Haven Baby Box

In a heartfelt community event, Deerfield Township in Ohio has unveiled its second Safe Haven Baby Box, providing a secure and anonymous option for parents facing crises to surrender their newborns safely. These boxes have been newly enabled due to legislation passed by local State Rep. Adam Mathews, which revised laws to permit 24/7 video monitoring, making installation easier and more accessible. This marks the third Safe Haven Baby Box in the region, with the first installed in nearby Lebanon, Ohio.

 The Deerfield Township Fire-Rescue Department collaborated with Safe Haven Baby Boxes for this initiative, marking the 388th such box nationwide and the 18th in Ohio.

The dedication ceremony brought together local residents, officials, and faith leaders to bless the new installation at the Fire Rescue Station on Kings Mills Road. This follows the first baby box installed at another station earlier this year, with plans to equip all four township fire stations—making Deerfield only the second jurisdiction in the country to achieve full coverage.

Trustee Lelle Hedding emphasized the township's dedication to this life-saving program, stating, "Once all four of our fire stations have safe haven baby boxes, we will be the second jurisdiction in the country to have all their stations filled."

 The boxes are designed to lock automatically upon placement of an infant, alerting the fire-rescue team immediately for prompt care. Julie Seitz, president of the Board of Trustees, shared her hopes for the community: "We hope that parents will find other resources but emphasized the box's readiness for those in need."

 Pastor Andy Lowe of Faith Journey Church added a poignant note, describing the baby box as "a picture of compassion and a promise to the most vulnerable that here they will be protected."

Under Ohio's Safe Haven Law, parents can surrender infants without facing questions or legal repercussions, ensuring the child's well-being. The fire-rescue team assures that babies placed in these boxes are quickly adopted into loving homes. Since 2017, 69 infants across the nation have been safely surrendered through similar boxes.

For parents in need, Safe Haven Baby Boxes provides a confidential hotline at 1-866-99BABY1. Communities interested in installing their own baby boxes can find more information through the organization's resources.

This initiative underscores Deerfield Township's commitment to protecting its most vulnerable residents, offering hope and support in times of desperation. As Trustee Hedding noted on social media, the mission is to equip all stations, fostering a safer environment for families.