Knoxville has another Safe Haven Baby Box
April 5, 2024, 9:24 p.m.

KNOXVILLE - Rural Metro Fire Halls Station 30 now features a Safe Haven Baby Box on the front of their building. A blessing is scheduled for Friday, April 5th at 2 PM EST on site at 7401 Lena Lane Knoxville, TN 37918. The new Safe Haven Baby Box is the 4th in Tennessee and the 214th location across the country. Five infants have been anonymously surrendered in a Safe Haven Baby Box in 2024.

Funding for this project was provided by The Craig Foundation, Knox County Government, and Rural Metro Fire - Knox County. “This Baby Box represents a collective partnership between private donors, Knox County Government, and Rural Metro Fire. Together we can all ensure that newborns are cared for properly and placed in the hands of people that can care for them long term in loving homes,” said Jeffrey Bagwell, Rural Metro Fire Captain.

In addition to the Baby Boxes, the organization confidentiality aids women in crisis with their National Hotline, 1-866-99BABY1, which has assisted with over 140 surrenders. Indiana, Ohio, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Iowa, Missouri, West Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas have a Baby Box presence within their state. Safe Haven Baby Boxes Founder Kelsey shared, “Last May, an infant was surrendered in Knoxville via their Baby Box, which was the first location in Tennessee. Since that has happened, this community and area knows the value of being prepared for anonymous safe surrender. Rural Knoxville is investing in protecting women in crisis and their infants.”

When the door of the Baby Box opens a silent alarm sounds alerting first responders, along with when the infant is placed in the bassinet, and when the door shuts, automatically locking. The infant will immediately be transported to the hospital for medical evaluation and the baby will be with their adoptive family soon. Families seeking to adopt a Safe Haven baby should reach out to their local Department of Family Services to register for foster care to adopt. Since 2017, 43 infants have been safely and legally surrendered in a Baby Box. These numbers are increasing yearly with the addition of more baby boxes being made available across the country.