A new lifeline is available for parents who feel they cannot care for a child.
A blessing was held yesterday afternoon (October 28th)for a new Safe Haven Baby Box that’s been installed at the Manitowoc Fire Station on Dewey Street.
The baby box offers a safe, anonymous way for parents to relinquish their newborn by placing it inside, where it can be kept warm.
A silent alarm would then go off, alerting emergency responders to pick up the baby and take it to a local hospital to make sure it’s healthy.
Manitowoc County District Attorney Jacalyn LaBre told a crowd gathered that organizations like her office, CASA of East Central Wisconsin, The Crossing of Manitowoc County, and the Manitowoc County Human Services Department made it possible.
“Manitowoc Fire Station #3 now stands as a beacon of safety, hope, and protection for mothers and newborns alike,” she stated. “This project truly represents what can happen when a community comes together around a shared purpose and dream.”
LaBre also thanked the donors who helped bring the new Safe Haven Baby Box to the Clipper City.
CASA of East Central Wisconsin Director Julie Ribley explained that her organization wrote grants, while the Crossing of Manitowoc County served as the fiscal holding group.
Ribley says while the baby box is another option for mothers if needed, there is a need in the community.
Ribley noted, “It’s not just for those in Manitowoc County. It’s also those in surrounding areas that would find themselves in need of a Safe Haven Baby Box.”
Wisconsin State Senator Andre Jacque was asked to speak after he helped update Wisconsin’s Safe Haven Law to allow newborns to be surrendered for up to 30 days after birth.
“This is the best of our community, when you see, this is an amazing turnout,” he explained. “And again, we just talked about all the partners here. But I’m just grateful that we have a community that is looking for life-affirming choices.”
Wisconsin passed its original Safe Haven law back in 2001. Manitowoc Assistant Fire Chief Jeremy Wagner told SeehaferNews.com that Fire Station #3 was the best place to put the baby box.
“It’s kind of close to I-43, which is good,” he noted. “This one (station) offers the most privacy for the parent, as you can come off of 39th Street and it’s kind of hidden. Whereas downtown is very open. Station #4 and Station #2, they are all in very residential areas.”
Father Nico of St. Francis of Assisi Parish then blessed the Baby Box.
Safe Haven Baby Box Assistant Director Maria Betz told those gathered yesterday that 90 babies have been safely surrendered through their baby boxes.
The Safe Haven Baby Box in Manitowoc is now the 10th located in Wisconsin and the 487th in the United States.
You can find more information about the Safe Haven Baby Box organization at shbb.org.
