Maine’s first Safe Haven Baby Box was opened Tuesday at the Rumford Fire Department.
These boxes “legally permits a mother in crisis to safely, securely, and anonymously surrender if they are unable to care for their newborn.”
Parents may use the boxes to anonymously give up a child who is younger than 31 days old.
As soon as a baby is placed inside of the temperature-controlled box, an alarm will sound within to alert the firemen so that they can tend to the baby immediately.
The child would be taken to the hospital for evaluation before being handed over to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
In 2022, the Legislature approved a bill legalizing safe haven baby boxes in Maine, a measure that subsequently passed into law without Gov. Janet Mills’ (D) signature.
Included in the bill was a provision directing DHHS to “adopt rules to ensure the safe design, installation and use of each safe haven baby box before it may be put into service by a hospital, law enforcement agency or fire department.”
This past spring, DHHS finalized its rulemaking on this matter, establishing “guidelines for the safe installation and use of safe haven baby boxes at qualifying safe haven provider locations before they are put into service.”
A ribbon cutting and blessing ceremony for the Rumford Fire Department’s new Safe Haven Baby Box took place Tuesday morning.
Maine Right to Life played a major role in raising funds for the box’s installation.
“We are grateful for the dedication of the Rumford Fire Department and Chief Reed, whose leadership and willingness to serve made this life-saving resource possible,” said Lori Cloutier, Board President of Maine Right to Life, in a statement Tuesday.
“Safe Haven Baby Boxes are about preserving life, ensuring safety, and responding to crisis situations with care rather than judgment,” Cloutier said.
The ribbon cutting ceremony was reportedly attended by the Rumford town manager, the chair of the board of selectpersons, the chair of Oxford County Commissioners, State Rep. Rachel Henderson (R-Rumford), and the founder of Safe Haven Baby Boxes.
What could go wrong with this idea. Great if it’s used as intended. I’m afraid this is an anchor baby drop box.
If this box can save even one baby from abortion/ murder, it’s worth it.
Insanity, we have gone off the rails.
These have proven safe and effective around the country and it is terrific this have finally been achieved in Rumford. Hoping other Maine communities follow.
Sounds reasonable to me .
Better than a gravel pit in Milo or a trash can at Walmart .
Maybe the babies can grow up to have a better life than they would have had with their “ mother “ .
THATS A SAFE BET .
These are already in use all over the country and something I’ve kept an eye on and don’t seem to find any abuse of the service. I just can’t comprehend the struggle the parent is going through to come to this point must be heart breaking!
The box sounds like a good idea for a mother in crisis. However, turning them over to the state is dangerous to children. We have 150+ Dead in the past seven years under state care.
I don’t like this. Who is DHHS contracting with to oversee these children’s welfare?
We already know DHHS oversees practically nothing under its purview.