DAPHNE, AL – Baldwin County’s first Safe Haven Baby Box was officially blessed and opened for use on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. It is the eighteenth such installation in Alabama since legislation authorized their use in 2023.
A large crowd gathered at Daphne Fire Station #5 to witness the ceremony. The baby box and its systems underwent several days of rigorous testing before the launch. While officials hope it will never be needed, they acknowledge that some mothers may face circumstances that make caring for a newborn impossible.
“It’s a brave, bold statement,” said Caitlin Kelly of the Safe Haven Baby Box organization. “To give life and walk away—that shows a deep love. That’s what we see in these mothers.”
Under Alabama law, a mother can anonymously leave her baby at the box within 45 days of birth. The process is private, with no cameras or questions asked. The box is climate-controlled and immediately alerts first responders when opened.
Kelly explained, “Once the mother closes the box, it cannot be reopened. There are three alarms: one if the door is opened, another triggered within 60 seconds when the baby is placed inside the medical-grade bassinet, and a final alarm that notifies 9-1-1 dispatch.”
These safeguards ensure the baby is retrieved within three minutes. Nationwide, 61 mothers have made this difficult choice, including several in Alabama.
The Safe Haven Baby Box program began after its founder visited South Africa, where similar boxes were installed in church walls. The initiative started in Indiana and has since expanded to many states.
Alabama State Representative Donna Givens, who championed the 2023 legislation, recalled the emotional moment when the first Alabama baby was safely surrendered. “I thanked God because it was doing what it was meant to do—saving a life,” she said.
Daphne Fire Chief LeAnn Tacon noted that the idea came from a local citizen who encouraged the city to apply for a Safe Haven Baby Box. The location at Station #5 on Milton Jones Road was chosen for its easy access from Interstate highways, making it convenient for people coming from other counties or states.
The program aims to provide troubled mothers with a safe option to surrender their newborns while offering security and care for the infants. After retrieval, babies receive a full medical screening at the hospital. The Department of Human Resources then works to place them with adoptive families.
Baldwin County’s next Safe Haven Baby Box is set to open soon in the City of Foley.
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