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.
