Anonymous Newborn Surrender Option Expands

RACINE, Wis. (Civic Media) — Wisconsin’s third Safe Haven Baby Box is in Racine. Fire Station #4 is where the newest option has been installed.

The effort comes after Gov. Tony Evers signed a bill in December 2023 allowing complete anonymity for newborn surrenders.

Previously, parents had to hand infants directly to firefighters, police officers, or hospital staff.

Safe Haven Baby Boxes, an Indiana-based organization, has been installing the devices nationwide since 2016. The organization reports 54 babies have been saved through their program across the country.

The Safe Haven website says the devices are installed on the exterior wall of a fire station or a hospital. The exterior door locks when a newborn is placed inside, with an interior door allowing firefighters or hospital staff to get the baby, “ensuring immediate care and protection.”

Wisconsin’s first two baby boxes were installed in Elkhorn and Reedsburg.

The Safe Haven Baby Box program, now operating in 18 states, provides a 24-hour crisis hotline at 1-866-992-2291.