Saving lives got a little easier in Perryville on Monday, Aug. 18, as the state’s newest Safe Haven Baby Box was blessed amid a Missouri heat wave.
The addition marks a significant step in Safe Haven Baby Boxes’ mission to provide a safe, anonymous option for surrendering an infant. The new baby box is installed at the Perry County Joint Justice Center, 400 W. St. Joseph St., in Perryville.
Introducing the ceremony, Perry County Clerk Jared Kutz said, “When there is a surrender, the process is done in a way that gets the surrendered infant to a safe place to get checked out by medical staff immediately.
“An ambulance from Mercy Hospital responds within a few minutes. It’s awesome, so we appreciate all that. This box is here for parents who are in crisis and feel they have no other option than to give their child a future by giving them up to someone. This box represents more than just a place to surrender an infant. It represents hope, and most importantly, love, because I can imagine a more difficult act of love than surrendering your child to what is unknown at the moment of surrender.”
Perry County Sheriff Jason Klaus told the crowd, “This is just one more example of the services that we can now provide an option we didn’t have before. With this site, with this location, this baby box — I pray more than almost anything — that it never has to be used and no mother, no parent, finds themselves in this situation, but if they do, I want this to be one of the first thoughts that they come to on how they can do the right thing with love for that child. Maybe that’s the last thing they do for their child, but it gives them a better chance at a future here.”
Speaking on behalf of the City of Perryville, Ward 3 Alderman Dave Schumer said, “I want to thank the sheriff’s department and the police department for their work and dedication for protecting all the citizens of our community. Secondly, I want to thank the citizens of this great community for stepping up and providing time and time again, their time and treasures for those in need, and most of all, those who are unable to help themselves — the unborn. This baby box is a prime example of the generosity and the faith this community has.”
Safe Haven Baby Boxes was founded by Monica Kelsey on a mission to end infant abandonment. In addition to baby boxes, the organization provides a confidential National Hotline, 1-866-99BABY1.
Twenty-three states have a Baby Box presence within their state. Following the speakers, Father Anthony Dosen provided the blessing of the baby box. For more information, contact Monica Kelsey at monicakelsey@safehavenbabyboxes. com.
