A Safe Haven Baby Box was installed on the north side of the Crown Point Fire Department fire station located at 126 N. East St.
[Ads /]
This fire station's location was chosen because it's adjacent to I-65, and for the level of anonymity it provides.
"This box represents no shame, no blame and no names," said Safe Haven Baby Boxes Founder and CEO Monica Kelsey.
RELATED: Indiana to provide 'safe haven' baby boxes
Kelsey was surrendered at a hospital two hours after she was born by her birth mother. That's why her life's work is dedicated to help mothers like her own.
[Ads /]
"I was one of the lucky ones I was saved, so this is very important to me to give moms another option," Kelsey said.
Kelsey, alongside the Crown Point Mayor David Uran and the Crown Point Fire Department are protecting the infants who's mothers can't care for them.
"If Crown Point can play a part in anybody life's that hears this message that you're going to be broadcasting here today, then it was worth the installation," Uran said.
RELATED: Newborn surrendered in Indiana baby box less than 1 month after install
Indiana's Safe Haven Law allows people to take newborn babies to any hospital emergency room, police station or fire station without any questions asked and no risk of arrest or prosecution.
[Ads /]
According to the Safe Haven Baby Box Committee, three newborns were placed in Safe Haven Baby Boxes in Indiana last year. The box is designed to set off an alarm a fire station or hospital to alert first responders.
"Once the mom shuts the door, the door will no longer open until we clear the alarm, so that no one in the meantime can take that infant out," said Crown Point Fire Chief Dave Crane. "When she opens the door there's a pamphlet that drops out and gives her information and gives her more choices and avenues for help."
The latest installation in Crown Point was made possible by an anonymous donor. This was the very first box installed at a fire station in Lake County, Ind. It's also the first box installed with bilingual instructions.
This box in Crown Point will be the 19th Safe Haven Baby Box located in the state of Indiana.