The baby is a 7-pound girl, according to Monica Kelsey, who created the Safe Haven Baby Box, which is one of only two in the nation. Ataya had plans to volunteer a be apart of Safe Haven Baby Boxes. Monica Kelsey, founder and president of Safe Haven Baby Boxes Inc., poses with a prototype of a baby box. Nationwide, 81 babies have already been surrendered using a Safe Haven Baby Box! Bob is a 23-year veteran of The Times. There are 60 active baby boxes currently in the United States. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}. MICHIGAN CITY — Police said it took them less than an hour Tuesday to nab a local man believed to have carried out a robbery shortly before 11…. The 5 stories you need to know today: 'I opened it up and that baby just looked me right in the eyes. Ataya Kaser was 14 years old when she was tragically killed in a car accident on October 7, 2018. In an effort to prevent unwanted newborns from being discarded in trash cans or dumped in other potentially life-threatening locations, a woman has created the Safe Haven Baby Box. Box 185. A Safe Haven Baby Box saved an Indiana newborn. Medics arrived to recover a baby who appeared to be no more than an hour old. A woman abandoned at birth has shared exactly what happens when an infant is left inside a Safe Haven Baby Box, commonly found at fire stations. 340 being signed last month to allow Safe Haven Baby Boxes to be installed throughout Indiana, we … A Safe Haven for Newborns offers help and hope to women in need and crisis thus saving two lives, the mother and her newborn. Description. The Safe Haven Baby Box is shown from outside the Coolspring Township Volunteer Fire Department in LaPorte County. More than 40 communities are working on placing a Safe Haven Baby Box in a local hospital or fire station. Flanked by firefighter Nick Fekete, left, and Assistant Chief Warren Smith, right, Chief Mick Pawlik talke to members of the press about the baby left in the department's Baby Box. 'I opened it up and that baby just looked me right in the eyes.' The Cool Springs Volunteer Fire Department was the first location in the State to install a Safe Haven Baby Box. Monica Kelsey, originally from Ohio, shared a clip to TikTok detailing how the scheme works, after setting up the program in 2016. We are seeking volunteers that are committed, and compassionate for what we do. The baby is reportedly in the care of the Indiana Department of Child Services. Provided the baby is unharmed, there are no questions asked and it remains confidential. Woodburn, IN 46797. But there are … Coolspring Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Warren Smith, right, looks on as Chief Mick Pawlik speaks during a news conference after a baby was left in the department's Safe Haven Baby Box. More than 1,000 Nashvillians are proud to support Safe Haven’s mission and programs, ensuring homeless families have access to the tools and services they need to achieve self-sufficiency. A spokesman with the Indiana Department of Child Services did not return a telephone call Wednesday for comment. "I'm all about kids," he said. VALPARAISO — City police officer Cassidy Schafer has been named detective. A fire chief in Northwest Indiana says a baby is alive and healthy because someone did the right thing. The baby was taken by ambulance to Franciscan St. Anthony Health in Michigan City and appeared to be healthy and in good condition, county police said. The child was left in the Coolspring Township Volunteer Fire Department's Safe Haven Baby Box in LaPorte County on Sunday. Safe Haven offers a humane alternative for distressed parents who feel they can't care for a baby. Coolspring Assistant Fire Chief Warren Smith agreed. "They thought I was crazy," she said. Abandoned baby left in Safe Haven Baby Box in LaPorte prompts push for more, Making the holidays more memorable by helping others, Senator hopes to expand availability of 'baby boxes' across Indiana, Another baby left in Coolspring Township Volunteer Fire Department's Safe Haven Baby Box, NWI getting 2nd box to safely abandon babies, Chesterton working on providing Northwest Indiana's second baby drop-off box, Chesterton fire chief getting quotes for proposed baby box at station, Pace buses to advertise Illinois Baby Safe Haven law, Hobart fire station could be next to install Safe Haven Baby Box, New group forms to support parents and friends of LGBTQ community, Michigan City bank robbery suspect nabbed in 45 minutes. ', Chesterton police investigating human afterbirth found in portable toilet, no infant found, Family claims $25.5 million Lotto winnings from ticket sold in Valparaiso, 5 most-read stories today: Authorities raid Merrillville massage parlor; women seen leaving with FBI agents, 5 most-read stories today: Lights out, door locked at Merrillville spa a day after police raid, Michigan City girl airlifted after being attacked by 140-pound dog, 'I had actually had cold chills.' Kelsey, who works as a volunteer firefighter in Woodburn and a medic 20 miles away in Fort Wayne, said she came up with the idea for the box after seeing similar versions while giving pro-life talks in South Africa. It was emotional at times for Heidi Laub on Wednesday as she described those events as the nation's 42nd Safe Haven Baby Box went into service at the Lowell Volunteer Fire Department. The news was special for Kelsey not only because it is the first time a baby was dropped off in one of the boxes, thus affirming her fight last year with the state to keep them in operation, but also because she had been abandoned herself at a hospital in Montpelier, Ohio, in 1973 just two hours after she was born. P.O. Copyright © 2020 Safe Haven Baby Boxes - All Rights Reserved. "It's very clear — she did not want her face to be seen.". "That's why I'm as elated as I am right now.". In 2016 the first Safe Haven Baby Box was installed at the Woodburn Fire Department. Abandoned baby came as a surprise to firefighters expecting a prank. The second child in just five months was found safely inside a northwest Indiana fire department's "Safe Haven Baby Box" Sunday evening. She is pursuing the installation of boxes next year in Ohio, to be followed by Pennsylvania, Georgia and Michigan. she asked. — By summer, Northwest Indiana could have another Safe Haven Baby Box like the one used Sunday evening to safely abandon an in…, Chesterton is hoping to take advantage of an upcoming change in state law to offer Northwest Indiana's second Safe Haven Baby Box like the one…, CHESTERTON — Fire Chief John Jarka is looking into quotes for services connected to the proposed baby drop-off box at the fire station along B…. The That's So Region panel discusses the discovery of a newborn baby in LaPorte County (2:10) and Fair Oaks Farm's plans to construct an upscale motel (9:50), then makes a few recommendations for the weekend (15:08). We have created a Scholarship in her name. Pawlik said the baby remained calm and quiet as he and firefighter Nick Fekete scrambled around in the excitement of the moment in search of gloves that were right before them, resulting in Fekete being temporarily locked out of the building in the confusion. A Baby Box is installed in an exterior wall of a designated fire station or hospital. Michael Conroy. "That box is not there to judge people," he said. A Baby Box is a safety device that legally permits a mother in crisis to safely, securely, and anonymously surrender her newborn if she is unable to care for the baby. Safe Haven Baby Boxes mailing address is another way you can send your donation if you don't want to donate online. Baby Box Campaign Progress. The Safe Haven Baby Box is shown from the inside of the Coolspring Township Volunteer Fire Department in LaPorte County. Monica Kelsey, creator of the Safe Haven Baby Boxes, gave a presentation during a ceremony attended by close to 100 people in April 2016 at the Coolspring Township fire station near Michigan City. A Safe Haven for Newborns - babies are given a chance for a future. "It worked flawlessly last night," Kelsey said. COOLSPRING TWP. "My heart is full for this little girl that is going to go on with her life," Kelsey said Wednesday morning. $16,250 of $15,000 Funded 108% of Goal. National Safe Haven Crisis line 1-866-99BABY1. The Safe Haven Law allows a parent to legally surrender a newborn baby to a fire station or hospital within 72 hours of birth. Flanked by firefighter Nick Fekete, left, and Assistant Chief Warren Smith, Chief Mick Pawlik talke to members of the press about the baby left in the department's Baby Box. Last week's successful recovery of an hour-old newborn baby in a Safe Haven Baby Box at a fire station near Michigan City has fueled interest …, Sandra Hudson said she has spent a good part of each Thanksgiving and Christmas days for the last 25 years helping to serve food to the needy …. Posters, ads, notecards, and bulletin inserts deliver Safe Haven's simple message - don't abandon your baby - and highlight the law's main points. Then his pulse began to race when he peeked through holes in the receiving side of the box, which is mounted in the wall at the station just southeast of Michigan City. "The children are picked up in less than five minutes," she said. Join Safe Haven’s dedicated volunteer ranks. MICHIGAN CITY — When Carol Pozos' oldest child came out as genderqueer she jumped online and began educating herself on the topic. The Safe Haven Baby Box is shown from the inside of the Coolspring Township Volunteer Fire Department in LaPorte County. John J. Watkins, The Times Monica Kelsey, founder and president of … then {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}} per month. The Safe Haven Baby Box was used for a second time in just a few months at the Coolspring Township Volunteer Fire Department By FireRescue1 Staff MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. The bill would allow the use of a baby box when a newborn is anonymously surrendered by a parent to a staffed police station, fire station, or hospital. Our activities focus on publicizing the existence of this safe, legal alternative. Join our email list at the bottom of this page and be the first to know when it hits store! Monica Kelsey, founder and president of Safe Haven Baby Boxes. In November an individual anonymously placed a newborn baby inside of a Safe Haven Baby Box at the Coolspring Township Volunteer Fire Department in La Porte County. The most-read stories on NWI.com during the past week. You have permission to edit this article. HOBART – Fire Lt. Robert Scott had seen the news about two babies who were safely rescued by firefighters after being abandoned in a Save Have…. The drawer has a heater to keep the baby warm and can only be opened from inside the building once it is closed with the baby inside, Kelsey said. CBS 2's Lauren Victory reports. While state law had already allowed babies to be legally surrendered to officials at hospitals, and fire and police stations, Kelsey argued that a case of a baby dying after being left outside an Indianapolis hospital shows the need for a more anonymous alternative. The LaPorte County fire station was chosen as the second site for a baby box because seven babies have been abandoned within a 5-mile radius of Michigan City in the last 15 years, Kelsey said. "The umbilical cord was still on," Pawlik said. Adeline, a volunteer since 2010, has dedicated over 540 hours of childcare in the evenings at the Resource Center. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Someone abandoned an infant in Seymour Tuesday less than a mile from a fire station with a Safe Haven Baby Box. Baby Left In Volunteer Fire Station's Safe Haven Box - YouTube The Safe Haven Baby Box is shown from the inside of the Coolspring Township Volunteer Fire Department in LaPorte County. If you need help finding a safe haven location or to speak to a licensed counselor call our National Safe Haven hotline at 1-866-99BABY1. Posting under the username @safehavenbabyboxes, she demonstrated […] CHICAGO — Illinois officials and advocates are launching a campaign to promote a law that allows babies to be turned over safely and legally. After we receive your check you will receive a thank you letter in the mail that you can save for your taxes! INDIANAPOLIS — If state Sen. Travis Holdman, R-Markle, gets his way, most fire stations across Indiana soon will have a "baby box" similar to …. Please consider donating to the fund and help carry on her dreams. "I opened it up and that baby just looked me right in the eyes.". The other is located in her hometown of Woodburn, Indiana, where her husband serves as mayor. "We refused to shut them down and fought them all of last year," she said. 5 most-read stories today: 'I opened it up and that baby just looked me right in the eyes.' By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data. State law resolved the dispute July 1 by legalizing the two existing boxes and authorizing more to be installed at hospitals. MICHIGAN CITY — A 12-year-old girl was airlifted to an Indianapolis hospital Friday morning after being attacked by a dog. We warmly welcome you to … Safe Haven Baby Boxes mailing address is another way you can send your donation if you don't want to donate online. MICHIGAN CITY — For the second time in five months, a baby was discovered in the Coolspring Township Volunteer Fire Department's Safe Haven Baby Box. He also created the Vegan in the Region blog, is an Indiana University grad and lifelong region resident. The baby boxes also have heating and cooling features. Her struggles continued when, after the boxes were installed in Coolspring Township and Woodburn in April 2016, Kelsey said the Indiana Department of Child Services challenged the legality of the boxes. MICHIGAN CITY — When Coolspring Township Volunteer Fire Chief Mick Pawlik was alerted Tuesday night of activity at the department's Safe Haven Baby Box, he assumed it was another case of someone opening the drawer out of curiosity or carrying out a prank. "She stepped up to the plate and did the right thing," he said. Arizona Safe Baby Haven Foundation is an organization established to provide support for any birth-mother in crisis or parents that feel unable or unwilling to care for a newborn baby, as well as raising awareness of the safe baby haven law. 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