A newborn baby was dropped off at a fire department building in LaPorte County, using its Save Haven Baby Box to do so.
The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office announced on its Facebook page Wednesday morning that the newborn was dropped off at the Coolspring Township Volunteer Fire Department‘s baby box, located between I-80/90 and I-94 outside of Michigan City.
Firefighters, including Coolspring Fire Chief Mick Pawlik, responded to the alarm within five minutes. An ambulance arrived a short time later and took the child to Franciscan St. Anthony’s Hospital in Michigan City. It was deemed to be in good condition.
“When this box was installed, we hoped that it would never be used yet were thankful that it exists for cases just like the one Tuesday night,” Pawlik stated afterwards. “We are grateful that the mother had this option and made this choice and we remain concerned for her health.”
This baby box was actually the second such device installed in the United States. The first was installed in New Haven. Indiana allows newborn infants to be given up without fear of arrest or prosecution under the state’s safe haven law.
