New baby box opens in Savannah, Missouri for infants

Officials in Andrew County, Missouri, have inaugurated a new baby box at the Savannah Rural Fire House. This initiative aims to provide a safe way for parents to surrender their newborns. A ribbon-cutting ceremony held on Monday featured local leaders, including State Rep. Dean Van Schoiack and Sen. Rusty Black, as well as Monica Kelsey, founder of Safe Haven Baby Boxes. The community raised $40,000 to create and maintain the baby box, which is located at 107 U.S. Highway 71 in Savannah. Kelsey emphasized the importance of uniformity for baby boxes across the country. "When someone is looking for a box, we want them to just be able to google it and see the same thing every time," she said. Training for local responders was crucial before the box could open. Co-chair Steve Smith explained that responders, including firefighters, were trained in CPR and AED use. This training ensures they are prepared to respond effectively when a baby is surrendered. When the outer door of the baby box is opened, an alarm system alerts a monitoring company. This triggers a response from the Andrew County Sheriff's Office, ambulance services, and fire departments. All three agencies will assist in caring for the child once they arrive at the scene. Savannah's baby box is the sixth in Missouri and part of a nationwide network of 325 similar boxes. Kelsey, who has formed connections with families involved in the process, highlighted the emotional significance of providing a safe option for parents in crisis.