2 Safe Haven Baby Boxes in Ohio forced to closed

UNION TWP. — Two Safe Haven Baby Boxes in Ohio have now closed, according to spokesperson.

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The Baby Box located east of Cincinnati in Batavia at the Union Township Fire Department and the one at the BST&G Fire District north of Columbus in Sunbury will no longer have a Safe Haven Baby Box available.

Safe Haven Baby Boxes was founded by Monica Kelsey, an abandoned infant, and says she is disappointed, in a statement.

“I’m disappointed in the Department of Health and the legislature for not acting quickly on this issue that was brought to our attention last year,” she said. “Now locations are being forced to shut down their Baby Box and take this resource away from women in Ohio.”

The organizations says this is happening because of what it is called, ‘an outdated rule’ a spokesperson said.

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The boxes have 24 hour camera monitoring and alerts to trigger when the boxes were opened, Safe Haven said.

The rules were interpreted to mean someone must always be present at the box and that would impact fire crew resources, the spokesperson said.

“It is going to take getting the public involved and forcing the Department of Health and legislature to resolve this issue,” said Kelsey.

A baby box was installed at a fire station in Troy back in August to to anonymously surrender their infant.

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