New Baby Box: A Safe Surrender Solution Officially Opens in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD, TENNESSEE: (Smokey Barn News) – The City of Springfield just officially opened the city’s first Safe Haven Baby Box at Fire Station 2. This life-saving resource was made possible through the dedicated fundraising efforts of advocate Silvanna Francescutti and generous donations from Open Door Pregnancy Center, Taylor and Robert Dorris from Willow Springs Electric, and other private donors.
A Safe Haven Baby Box is a safe place to surrender a baby, no questions asked, no required human interaction, 24 hours a day.
Springfield’s new Safe Haven Baby Box is one of 237 locations nationwide and the ninth in Tennessee. The Safe Haven Baby Box initiative provides parents in crisis with a safe, anonymous way to surrender their infants, ensuring the babies’ safety and well-being.
Since its inception in 2017, 49 infants have been safely and legally surrendered through Baby Boxes. These infants are then adopted by families registered as foster-to-adopt, with local family services coordinating the adoption process.
“The Safe Haven Baby Box at Fire Station 2 provides a safe, anonymous option for parents in crisis, reinforcing our commitment to saving lives and supporting our community,” said Springfield Fire Chief Jeff Glodoski. “We are proud to be part of this initiative and deeply grateful to those who made this possible, especially Silvanna Francescutti and Safe Haven Baby Box.”
Chief Glodoski told Smokey Barn News that he can’t remember an incident involving an abandoned baby in Springfield but he’s happy the resource is being made available.
Is it safe? Smokey Barn News asked Chief Glodoski about the safety mechanisms incorporated in the “box.” Chief Glodoski explained that the system operates through three sets of alarms: the first triggers when the baby’s weight is detected in the bassinet, notifying station personnel; the second alert is sent to the 911 dispatch center, and the third is dispatched to Fire Station 1 on Central Ave. The system automatically locks the door once closed. The box has doors on both the inside and outside: the individual dropping off the baby uses the outside door, while personnel retrieve the baby from the inside door.
Privacy: We asked Chief Glodoski about security cameras. The box is positioned on the front of the building near the entrance but, according to Chief Glodoski, cameras will not be pointed at the box.
The law: Tennessee has a Safe Haven Law, also known as the Safe Haven for Newborns Act, that allows parents to surrender a newborn baby to designated safe locations without fear of prosecution for abandonment. The Tennessee law is aimed at preventing infant abandonment and ensuring that newborns are placed in safe environments. In the absence of a Safe Haven Baby Box, designated safe locations include hospitals, birthing centers, and law enforcement agencies.
Springfield’s Safe Haven Baby Box is the first in Robertson County, according to Chief Glodoski.
Station 2 of the Springfield Fire Department is located on the corner of Bill Jones Industrial Dr, and Bradley Dr. MAP
