The Florence Fire Department is home to a new Safe Haven Baby Box.
Located at 8101 Dream St. in Florence, the new location will offer a “secure option for parents in crisis and help ensure every infant has a chance for a safe and loving future,” per a press release from Safe Haven. The box was blessed on July 31 at 1 p.m.
Across the country, there are 370 Safe Haven Baby Box locations, with 56 in Kentucky. Twenty-four states have a Baby Box presence within their state.
Monica Kelsey founded Safe Haven on a mission to “end infant abandonment.” In addition to baby boxes, the organization provides a confidential national hotline, 1-866-99BABY1.
Since 2017, 63 infants have been surrendered in a Baby Box. The crisis line has assisted with over 153 handoff surrenders. Surrendered infants are adopted by families who have registered as foster-to-adopt. The local department of family services coordinates the adoption process.