(Radio Iowa) - Iowa now has a second Safe Haven baby box where an unwanted newborn baby can be turned over.
Safe Haven founder Monica Kelsey says the box allows anonymity where the Safe Haven law that was passed 25 years ago allows for confidentiality, but not anonymity. She says anonymity for a parent who doesn't want to walk in and hand their child to a person, but still wants to surrender their child, is important to some of the women.
The new Safe Haven baby box is at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines and it follows the first that was installed at the Fort Dodge Fire Department in 2023. Kelsey started Safe Haven baby boxes out of her own beginnings after she was abandoned as an infant. You can find out more about Safe Haven boxes, or make a donation to the organization at shbb.org.