Monica’s life began as a rescue operation. She was abandoned at birth and adopted into a loving family almost immediately. Monica believes she was saved in order to help save others.
She carries out her rescue work as a firefighter and medic through the Woodburn Fire Department in Indiana and as founder of Save Haven Baby Boxes.
Safe haven laws exist in all 50 states making it legal to drop newborn babies at approved facilities such as hospitals and fire stations. The Safe Haven Law is in place to provide a safe way to surrender a healthy newborn without fear of criminal prosecution.
Fire Stations, Police Stations and Hospitals are trained to be a Safe Haven for a newborn. The safe haven baby box takes the face to face interaction out of the surrender and protects the mother from being seen.
Safe Haven Law provides No Shame, No Blame, No Names.
A Baby Box is a safety device provided for under state’s Safe Haven Law and legally permits a mother in crisis to safely, securely, and anonymously surrender if they are unable to care for their newborn. A Baby Box is installed in an exterior wall of a designated fire station or hospital. It has an exterior door that automatically locks upon placement of a newborn inside the Baby Box, and an interior door which allows a medical staff member to secure the surrendered newborn from inside the designated building.
Monica received our 2018 LaPorte County Heroes for Life Award.
www.safehavenbabyboxes.com