Newberry Installs Safe Haven Baby Box

NEWBERRY ‒ The City of Newberry has announced the opening of the new Safe Haven Baby Box at Newberry Fire Station, located at 310 N.W. 250^th Street.

“This significant event underscores the Newberry community's dedication to the welfare and safety of our most vulnerable members,” said Mayor Jordan Marlowe.

In a press release, the City’s wrote that the Baby Box was due to “the profound generosity of our community, including a critical $10,000 donation from Jordan Fairfield and proceeds from ‘Newberry- Small Town, Big Heart’ T-shirt sales.”

The Baby Box installed in Newberry is Florida’s second and the 185th in the United States. This initiative offers a safe, anonymous way for parents in crisis to surrender their newborns in a secure, warm and medically-equipped setting. Equipped with three silent alarms, the Baby Box ensures that any surrendered infant will receive immediate attention and be promptly taken to a hospital for medical evaluation. Families prepared for foster care with the intention to adopt will be able to provide a home for these infants within 30 - 45 days.

The concept of the Baby Box in Newberry was inspired by a similar instance in Ocala. Assistant Director of Finance & Administration Amanda Hagan, moved by the story of a baby girl surrendered at the Ocala Safe Haven Baby Box, proposed the idea to Fire Chief Vogel, who wholeheartedly supported adding the facility to the Newberry Fire Station. Vogel said, “We hope we never have to use it, but if we do, well done Newberry.”

Mayor Marlowe added, “The Safe Haven Baby Box installation is a testament to our citizens' collective goodwill and compassion. Newberry is a community that consistently comes together in times of need.”

For further information about Safe Haven Baby Boxes, visit https://shbb.org/.

In the event of a crisis or for 24/7 assistance, The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides a confidential hotline for pregnant and new moms at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262). TTY users can dial 711 and then 1-833-852-6262 to access the service.

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