Newborn safely surrendered to Safe Haven Baby Box that has been used 3 times since it was installed

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT/Gray News) – A newborn baby was safely surrendered at a Safe Haven Baby Box at a Knoxville Fire Department Tuesday.

Station 17 received a baby box alert around 7:45 p.m., according to Timothy Woods with the fire department.

The crew at the station went to the box, where they found a healthy baby inside, Woods said. The child was quickly removed from the box for further evaluation before being taken to the hospital.

Woods said this baby box was installed in February 2023, marking the first one in Tennessee. There are now 33 in the state, with the most recent being installed in Sevierville.

This was the third time the baby box has been used since its installation, according to Woods.

How does a Safe Haven Baby Box work?

When a baby is placed inside the climate-controlled box, a silent alarm immediately alerts firefighters, allowing personnel to respond within minutes while preserving the anonymity of the individual surrendering the child.

Surrendered babies are typically adopted by a family within 30 to 45 days.

Officials with the Department of Child Services conduct interviews to find a home for the newborn.

“The Safe Haven Baby Box provides a compassionate option that protects the health and safety of babies while offering hope during a crisis,” Brad Bailey, chairman of The Woodlands Township, said. “We are thankful this baby is safe and commend the Fire Department for its commitment to providing this lifesaving resource to our community.”

The baby box was installed at the fire station in April 2025 and operates under the Texas Safe Haven law.

Resources for the parents

“To the parent, thank you! Thank you for keeping your baby safe and trusting us and the fire dept to take it from here,” Safe Haven Baby Box founder Monica Kelsey said. “We are praying for you!”

Safe Haven Baby Boxes offer free medical and counseling resources for the mother, should she need them.

Counseling services are available based on the birth mother’s schedule and are done online via Zoom at no cost.

If you need help finding a Safe Haven location or would like to speak to a licensed counselor, call the National Safe Haven crisis hotline at 1-866-99BABY1.

Women in crisis can call the national 24-hour hotline and receive counseling and assistance free of charge.