STATEHOUSE (March 19, 2025) – Recently, State Rep. Joanna King (R-Middlebury) helped dedicate and bless a Safe Haven Baby Box at the Goshen Fire Department's Central Station.
The baby box was made possible by a $10,000 grant from 100 Women Who Care Elkhart County. King said in 2022 she opened a fund at the Community Foundation of Elkhart County to help cover additional costs. She added that the Safe Haven Baby Box was completely funded without using any taxpayer dollars.
"I'm honored to be a part of such an important initiative that strives to give newborn children a chance for a better life," King said. "Safe Haven Baby Boxes allow for a safer alternative for struggling mothers who are unable to provide care for their infant to anonymously surrender them. Thanks to Hoosiers like Safe Haven Baby Boxes Founder Monica Kelsey, the legislation we drafted in Indiana has become the standard that is used throughout the United States for programs like this."
First passed in 2000 and expanded multiple times in recent years, Indiana's Safe Haven Law allows newborns less than 30 days old to be safely and anonymously surrendered to a medical service provider or law enforcement agency as long as there are no signs of abuse or neglect. Safe Haven Baby Boxes are temperature-controlled devices that alert emergency responders when an infant is placed inside.
This is Goshen's first baby box and the 145th baby box installed in Indiana. Currently, there are 321 Safe Haven Baby Boxes nationwide with 33 babies surrendered.
Women who are pregnant and in need of help can call or text the Safe Haven Crisis Hotline at 1-866-99BABY1 or visit shbb.org. To learn more about Safe Haven Baby Boxes or make a donation, visit shbb.org.
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State Rep. Joanna King (R-Middlebury) represents House District 49,
which includes the eastern portion of Elkhart County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
PHOTO CAPTION: State Rep. Joanna King (R-Middlebury) (second from left) joins Safe Haven Baby Boxes founder Monica Kelsey (from left), Goshen Fire Chief Anthony Powell, Goshen Mayor Gina Leichty, Restor Church Pastor Rev. Gene Troyer and Carrie Berghoff, chief development officer for the Community Foundation of Elkhart County, to dedicate a Safe Haven Baby Box on Friday, March 7, 2025, at the Goshen Fire Department's Central Station. Safe Haven Baby Boxes are installed on exterior walls outside fire stations and hospitals for the safe and anonymous surrender of infants.
