OCALA, Fla. — The Ocala Safe Haven Baby Box saw its first newborn surrender this week.

The Safe Haven Boxes allow a mother or father, who cannot care for their child, to anonymously and safely surrender the infant at a fire station.

The Ocala Baby Box was implemented in 2020. There are 134 locations across the country, including Florida, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Arkansas, New Mexico, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

This is the 23rd baby surrendered inside a Baby Box since 2017. In 2022, a record eight babies were surrendered through a Baby Box.

The Baby Boxes are equipped with a silent alarm that notifies 911, along with a heating and cooling system to keep the baby comfortable. The outside door locks once the baby is placed inside until a first responder arrives within five minutes.

“After experiencing our first surrendered child, it’s clear that this resource saves lives. Knowing that Ocala’s Safe Haven Baby Box just saved a life is our greatest reward,” Ocala Fire Rescue Chief Clint Welborn said.

The Safe Haven Baby Boxes were founded by Monica Kelsey, who was abandoned as an infant. She spent eight years in the military serving her country and then served her community as a firefighter/medic. Her life’s mission now is to end infant abandonment with the aid of awareness and education on Safe Haven laws.

Newborns surrendered under the Safe Haven Law are placed with their forever families within 30-45 days.

The Safe Haven National Crisis hotline (1-866-99BABY1) also offers counseling services to a parent who is unable or unwilling to care for their newborn.

Any questions about adoption can be made to the Department of Children's Services at 407-317-7771.