Saturday, May 4, 2024
Newborn babies are abandoned at unsafe places every year, including dumpsters, bathrooms, and other outdoor facilities. With the Safe Haven law, also known as the Baby Moses law, a person is given an alternative to surrender a baby safely at any fire station, police station, or hospital without facing criminal charges.
Texas expanded the law on Sept. 1 to allow the installation of newborn safety devices or “baby boxes” at designated locations, where someone can surrender a baby anonymously rather than hand it to an employee. Coryell Memorial Hospital was recently approved to receive a baby box at their emergency room, which will make them the first hospital in Texas to adopt the addition to the law.
“I think it says a lot about our community and our hospital that we might be the first one in the state to adopt this policy,” said Dr. Jeff Bates, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Coryell Health.
Bates’ nonprofit organization, The Lords Work, has been at the forefront of spreading awareness about the Baby Moses law in Texas as well, as the approval to place a baby box at Coryell Health. He said his organization has already raised around $7,000 for its placement.
While the Safe Haven law has saved more than 4,000 babies nationwide, Bates adds that many are unaware that the law exists. In July, a newborn baby was abandoned at a business in Plano. In August, another baby was abandoned for 20 hours in the extreme heat outside of a San Antonio church.
“I don’t think anyone would have done that if they had known the law, which is to take it to the hospital and we will take the baby,” Bates said. “But we need promotion of the fact that there is a baby Moses law. Maybe people don’t want to hand the baby to a person, but they may be okay with sticking the baby in the box.”
Bates hopes to eventually develop a number that connects people with resources, so they know there are other options besides abandonment.
“You can call an 800 number and talk to people and have a conversation about it,” he said.
The climate-controlled box will have a latch on the outside of the hospital that connects to the inside of the emergency room. Once a baby is placed in a box, it is now on the inside of the hospital and can be immediately tended to by medical staff.
“I think that will help some women who may be afraid to turn it over to a real person, because that may be their neighbor or that might be their best friend’s mom or dad, so this way they can do it anonymously,” said Marcia Streiber, leader of the Baby Moses Project for The Lords Work.
Following the overturn in Roe v Wade laws in Texas last year, Streiber adds that baby abandonment is likely to increase.
“It gives them a safe and reasonable option to surrender their child and know that that child is going to be well-loved and well cared for,” Streiber said.
Barret Pollard worked alongside Bates and his team to get the baby box approved by state representatives and at Coryell Health. As the superintendent for Gatesville Independent School District, he has also helped inform school counselors and social workers about the safe haven law.
While surrendering a baby to a safe haven box or location is viable for those in a crisis with no other option, Pollard said it should only be viewed as a last resort. The best scenario is for the parent to either care for the child or go through the traditional adoption process.
“I believe that a climate-controlled baby box at a medical facility is a smart way to avoid a tragedy,” Pollard said. “With the extremely hot temperatures, it would be difficult for a newborn baby dropped off at a fire department to survive. Plus, a designated box keeps the baby safe from traffic and other dangers that might be present at a fire station. The box may never be used, but if it prevents one baby from being abandoned in an unsafe location it would be worth it.”
Babies surrendered to the baby box or hospital will be transferred to Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s Medical Center in Temple for care and then to Child Protective Services (CPS) where they will be placed for adoption.
Texas was the first state to pass the law in 1999. Since then, over 100 babies have been surrendered to safe haven locations across the state. According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, the baby must be 60 days old or younger, unharmed, and safe when brought to a safe haven location.
San Antonio is also raising funds to place baby boxes at select fire stations. The baby box addition to the law is approved in 16 other states.
A safe haven baby box is expected to be installed in the emergency room at Coryell Memorial Hospital before the end of this year.
