LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A baby was recently surrendered at a fire station in Georgetown, Indiana. 

The baby, whose gender was not made public, was surrendered under the Safe Haven Law. Officials said it happened last week, but did not provide an exact date. 

"I understand that it's exciting, it's just a beautiful time," Monica Kelsey, Founder and CEO of Safe Haven Baby Boxes said during a news conference. "I also understand that this does not come without pain and a birth mother that felt that this was her only option." 

Kelsey launched baby boxes in 2016. The first location was in Indiana. Over the years, more states have jumped on board, including Kentucky. To date, Kelsey said there are 15 states that have baby boxes and she expects at least four other states to join in 2024. 

"We have, right now I believe, 50 boxes at locations that are not active, yet, that are in different stages, whether it be training, testing, installation, whatever. Some of them just got their box last week. There's 50 of those locations that we will be blessing within the next -- probably three months," she said. 

During Monday's press conference, Kelsey thanked the unknown individual for making the decision to use a Safe Haven Baby Box. Through this option, Kelsey said a person surrendering a child can do so anonymously and legally.

"There's a few reasons why we do these press conferences. One -- so I can talk to the mom. Or the dad. The second reason is to remind the public that this box is still available. It's here. It's been here for 400 days," said Kelsey.

This baby box at Georgetown Township Fire Station No. 1 was installed in late 2022. This is the first time this box has been used and Kelsey said it is the first Safe Haven Baby Box surrender in the country for 2024.

"I want to take an opportunity to thank the individual or individuals who placed the baby into our care," said Georgetown Fire Chief Bill Banta. "Your faith in us is not under appreciated. I'm proud that we were able to offer this to you."

Banta said this was an emotional experience. 

"I know for a fact how tough it is to be a single parent. I was one. I understand the struggles. I had a great support system. The person that did this last week did the right thing and they need to be applauded," he said.

The Safe Haven Baby Box opens from the outside, setting off a soft alarm inside the fire station. It allows the person who placed the baby in the box time to walk away, protecting their identity.

"We receive a slow, low tone in the firehouse," explained Banta. "The way we have it set up, it worked great."

Firefighters said this box is tested on a weekly basis. Kelsey said firefighters responded to the box within two minutes once this baby was placed inside. The infant was taken to the hospital, per protocol. 

"The Department of Child Services, at this point, is doing interviews for parents to give this little one a forever home," said Kelsey. 

Kelsey said aside from the resources provided to the baby upon surrender, there are also resources for the birth mother, who often times in these situations does not give birth at a hospital. There is an orange bag that falls from the baby box when it is opened, filled with information about medical care, counseling services, and legal information. 

"As long as this baby was under 30 days old, unharmed, and placed in either a baby box or the arms of a firefighter , she followed the law. And I can tell you with certainty this mother did," Kelsey said Monday. 

Lisa Znachko, founder of He Knows Your Name, said it's now been nearly a full decade since a deceased baby has been found abandoned in Indiana and she believes the option of having baby boxes is leading to the positive change. 

"We've gone nine years without a deceased baby being found. And that is profound. This movement is working, said Znachko. "The Safe Haven Law is being utilized because of education and awareness." 

Kelsey said the goal of the Safe Haven Baby Box organization is not to lead women to the boxes, but to help them understand their legal options to safely surrender an infant. 

"Our focus is getting these women to a safe place, whether it be them handing the child to a person or placing in our boxes," she said.

According to Kelsey, there were 17 Safe Haven Baby Box surrenders across the country in 2023. She said eight of those were in Indiana and three were in Kentucky. That does not include the number of babies surrendered into the arms of a trained professional, such as a firefighter.

The organization is encouraging the individual who dropped off the baby to reach out for support, counseling, and medical care, should they need it. They do not have to reveal their identity. 

Kelsey said the average cost for a Safe Haven Baby Box is $15,000. She said funds come from donations and fundraising. 

"Local municipalities can pay for one themselves, but we won's take any state or federal funding," she said.

Women in crisis can call a 24-hour hotline to receive counseling and assistance. The National Safe Haven Crisis line is 1-866-99BABY1. The business office can be reached at 1-888-742-2133. For an online link to the crisis line for Safe Haven Baby Boxes, click here.

Click here for a list of baby box locations.

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