STATEHOUSE (Oct. 11, 2024) – State Rep. Dave Heine (R-Fort Wayne) recently presented a Sagamore of the Wabash award to newborn advocate and Safe Haven Baby Boxes founder Monica Kelsey.
"Monica's dedication to newborns and mothers in crisis is truly remarkable," Heine said. "Being able to transform her own traumatic start in life into a national initiative that addresses infant abandonment so that no child experiences it as she did is inspiring. It was an honor to present her with such a prominent award."
Kelsey founded SHBB to address infant abandonment by providing a 24-hour crisis hotline for mothers along with safe, anonymous locations for women to use as a last resort to surrender their newborns safely. Founded in Woodburn, these baby boxes are now in 15 states. They also raise awareness of Indiana's Safe Haven Law, which enables a mother to surrender an infant less than 30 days old to any hospital emergency room, fire station or police station within the state without fear of prosecution.
Kelsey, who was inspired to create the program after being abandoned at birth, said the baby boxes' success is due to one important factor.
"… because our team never gave up," Kelsey said. "Our team never stopped believing in the dream that I had."
To date, there have been over 150 legal surrenders and more than 9,000 calls to the crisis line from across the United States.
Dating back to the mid-1940s, the Sagamore of the Wabash award is the highest honor the governor can bestow and is presented to Hoosiers who have rendered distinguished service to the state, contributing greatly to Indiana’s rich history.
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State Rep. Dave Heine (R-Fort Wayne) represents House District 85,
which includes a portion of Allen County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
