An infant was safely surrendered to a Safe Haven Baby Box at a firehouse in Ohio in mid-January, and yes, this is one of those rare stories that reminds us common sense and compassion still exist.
The baby, who was under 30 days old, was anonymously left at the Safe Haven Baby Box located at the Delhi Township Firehouse on Neeb Road. According to officials, this was the first time the box has been used since it was installed in 2022 — apparently, it took a real emergency for people to remember it’s there. Go figure.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes founder Monica Kelsey explained that the device was “built for this exact purpose: to give mothers in crisis a safe, anonymous, judgment-free option when they feel they have none.”
She called the mother’s choice “selfless,” saying it was “an act of pure love” and that she “chose life, safety, and hope.” In other words, she didn’t make excuses — she made the right call.
Baby boxes exist to prevent newborns from being abandoned in dangerous conditions. They are temperature-controlled incubators built into fire stations, police stations, and hospitals. A mother can legally and safely place her baby inside, the door locks, and an alarm alerts staff after she has time to leave. No drama, no danger — just a baby protected.
Once placed inside, the baby is quickly taken to a hospital for a wellness check and then placed into state custody, where adoption often happens quickly. This isn’t some bureaucratic maze — it’s a fast track to safety.
The organization started nine years ago in Indiana and has grown to at least 400 locations nationwide. More than 70 newborns have been surrendered using baby boxes, and another 150 people have been helped with safe surrenders at other locations. That’s not a statistic — that’s 220 lives not left on the street.
The baby in Ohio was taken to Children’s Hospital and is now under the care of Job and Family Services, which is seeking a permanent adoptive home.
Delhi Township Fire Lt. Kevin Kraemer said officers were glad to be part of it, calling the situation “bitter-sweet,” but adding they were happy the parent trusted them. Trusting first responders with a newborn’s life? That’s what responsible looks like.
Under Ohio law, unharmed infants up to 30 days old can be legally surrendered at baby boxes, hospitals, fire stations, police stations, and EMS providers. Safe Haven Baby Boxes also operates a confidential hotline — 1-866-99BABY1 — offering counseling and guidance for mothers in crisis.
This story isn’t about politics — it’s about protecting life and giving people a second chance to do the right thing. And in a world obsessed with chaos, it’s refreshing to see a system work exactly as intended. One baby is safe today, and that’s a win worth celebrating.
