Words by Jenny Lynn Davis | Images by Ryan McGill
Jasper, Alabama, has taken a significant step in safeguarding infant lives by introducing the seventh Safe Haven Baby Box in the state.
Located at the Jasper Fire Department’s Station 1 on 18th Street East, this box provides a secure and anonymous way for parents to surrender infants they cannot care for.
The Safe Haven Baby Box is designed to prevent unsafe abandonment and ensure that infants are quickly placed in proper care.
When a baby is placed inside the box, a sensor alerts authorities, who promptly retrieve the child to ensure their safety and well-being.
Alabama recently passed a law allowing parents to anonymously surrender infants up to 45 days old at designated locations such as hospitals and fire stations.
The Jasper community’s involvement has been instrumental in bringing this project to fruition.
Mayor David O’Mary credited local residents Chase and Jordanna Gunter with spearheading the initiative, drawing on their personal experiences with adoption.
“Both of our sons are adopted, and that is something very near and dear to our hearts,” said Chase. When we saw that the laws in Alabama now allowed for a Safe Haven Baby Box, we approached the City, and they were very receptive and open to the idea. We’re happy we can help bring it to our community and help vulnerable children.”
The project received significant support from Senator Greg Reed and state Rep. Matt Woods, who helped secure a $15,000 Cawaco RC&D grant. Additional funding came from private donors and the Jasper City Council.
Monica Kelsey, founder and CEO of Safe Haven Baby Boxes, attended the blessing ceremony on Wednesday and shared her personal connection to the cause.
Kelsey, a retired firefighter and medic, launched the first Safe Haven Baby Box in Indiana in 2016. Her motivation stems from her own story as an abandoned infant.
Since 2017, 50 infants have been safely and legally surrendered in Baby Boxes, and the National Safe Haven Crisis line has assisted over 150 handoff surrenders.
As more boxes become available, the number of safely surrendered children rises.
The community has been enthusiastic and grateful for the addition of the Safe Haven Baby Box in Jasper.
“It says something about the culture of this city how people rallied around such an effort and making it a reality,” said O’Mary. WL
