For the first time in Wisconsin history, a Safe Haven Baby Box was utilized last week.
For many, the concept of a Safe Haven Baby Box is unknown despite being implemented into state law in 2023, while general safe haven laws have been around in Wisconsin since 2001.
This week, Manitowoc County District Attorney Jacalyn LaBre joined the WOMT Be My Guest Program for a discussion on these baby boxes and what purpose they serve.
She first explained how safe haven laws work in Wisconsin.
“If there is a baby less than 72 hours old, a parent can surrender that child to a law enforcement officer, emergency medical services, hospitals, fire stations, those types of places,” LaBre stated. “If the parent relinquishes that child within that first 72 hours, they are considered a safe haven baby.”
She continued, explaining, “The baby box is an infant safety device. It has to be at a hospital or some type of law enforcement agency or fire department that’s staffed 24 hours. These boxes are controlled and ventilated. There’s surveillance on them, and once a bay is in that box, dispatch is notified and alarms go off.”
These boxes are intended to offer a compassionate and secure option for mothers in a crisis who are unable to care for their newborns.
They are seen as a vital resource to provide a lifeline for mothers and their babies.
Currently, there are six Safe Haven Baby Boxes across Wisconsin, including at the Racine Fire Department, the site where they were first ever used in the state.
LaBre, who used to work in Racine, drew inspiration from her old City for implementing this service.
With that in mind, she also announced during her discussion that the City of Manitowoc has been officially approved to offer the seventh Safe Haven Baby Box in Wisconsin.
To learn more about Safe Haven Baby Boxes and when one will be installed in Manitowoc, you can listen to the full episode of By My Guest with DA Jacalyn LaBre by visiting seehaferpodcasts.com.
