Reedsburg’s Safe Haven Baby Box, a Lifesaving Initiative
A safe haven baby box will be blessed in Reedsburg on Friday, June 14, 2024. The box is located at 230 Railroad St. in Reedsburg, at the city of Reedsburg Ambulance. I spoke with Josh Kowalke, Director of Reedsburg Area Ambulance Service, to learn more about what exactly this means.
Safe Haven Boxes provide a safe and anonymous option for parents facing distressing circumstances. Intended for emergency situations, the box offers a means to surrender a newborn under 72 hours old, ensuring anonymity and eliminating concerns about being recognized or facing legal repercussions.
This invaluable resource has the potential to save precious lives in times of crisis.
Safe Haven Baby Box Reform Bill Signed into Law
Wisconsin’s Safe Haven law has long served as a critical safety net for infants under 72 hours old, allowing parents to anonymously surrender their child to authorities. Previously, this process required face-to-face interaction (such as at a hospital).
The Safe Haven Law reform bill, 2023 Wisconsin Act 79, was signed into law at the end of last year. This reform introduces a significant change, offering parents the option to surrender their baby without any direct contact, thereby enhancing privacy and anonymity.
For more details about the reform, you can read the full article on WKOW.
What is a Safe Haven Baby Box?
A Safe Haven Baby Box is a secure, temperature-controlled device installed at designated locations, such as fire stations or hospitals (where there are trained professionals 24/7/365).
A Safe Haven Baby Box gives parents the option of safely and anonymously surrendering their newborn baby. These boxes are part of a broader initiative to provide a safe alternative for parents in crisis, ensuring the baby receives immediate care and protection.
The boxes have alarms that alert emergency responders when a baby is placed inside, allowing for prompt medical attention and care for the infant.
What Happens to the Baby?
- Immediate Response: Once the baby is placed inside the box, the box automatically locks to ensure the baby’s safety. An alarm system alerts emergency services immediately, notifying them of the baby’s presence.
- First Responder Arrival: Emergency responders, such as local police, fire department, or EMS, arrive at the location promptly. They retrieve the baby from the box and ensure that the baby receives immediate medical attention.
- Medical Evaluation: The baby is taken to a hospital for a thorough medical evaluation. Medical staff assess the baby’s health and provide any necessary care.
- Child Protective Services (CPS): After the medical evaluation, CPS is notified and takes custody of the baby. They initiate the process to find a suitable home for the child, either through foster care or adoption.
- Adoption Process: The baby is placed into the foster care system while the legal adoption process begins. Efforts are made to find a loving and permanent home for the child as quickly as possible.
Changing Your Mind
I asked Josh what would happen if a parent changed their mind after surrendering their baby. He explained that the parent would need to contact Child Protective Services and follow their process to determine if they are fit to regain custody of their child.
Why Reedsburg?
According to Josh, the initiative to bring the Safe Haven Baby Box to Reedsburg was spearheaded by Dr. Christine M. Trautman, MD, an Obstetrics/Gynecology specialist at Reedsburg Area Medical Center.
Dr. Trautman learned about the changing law and took proactive steps to implement it locally. Securing funds for the project, which costs $15,000 for a single box, involved relying on donations and community support.
Reedsburg is the first location in the state of Wisconsin for a Safe Haven baby box. There are two other cities with the boxes but they haven’t been installed yet.
Learn More About Safe Haven Baby Boxes
If you would like to learn more about Safe Haven Baby Boxes or their organization, please visit their website. If you have questions for Josh Kowalke, Director of Reedsburg Ambulance, you can reach him at 608-524-3074 ext. 3.
