Safe Haven Law

Indiana's 86th baby box, where newborns can be anonymously surrendered, is open in Elwood.

Monica Kelsey created Safe Haven Baby Boxes in 2016 after learning she was abandoned as an infant, and after seeing a baby box in operation at a church in Cape Town, South Africa. Today, there are 25 Safe Haven baby boxes in three states.

Baby boxes are padded, climate-controlled boxes where people can leave newborns safely and anonymously at hospitals or firehouse.

Indiana's Safe Haven law allows anyone to hand over an infant to police, fire stations or hospitals within a baby's first 45 days without questions asked.