Kentucky: Safe Haven Baby Box Cases

Information on Kentucky Safe Haven Baby Box cases comes from news reports, SHBB Inc reports on social media, and Blessed to Have Been Abandoned: the Story of the Baby Box Lady by Monica Kelsey. From public reports, these babies were in no danger of discard or death.

1. Bowling Green Lovers’ Lane Fire Station

Date: Week of January 28, 2023

Baby Information: Unknown

Details: Described as “healthy and beautiful” Press conference but no other information. Called #24 but there appears to be an earlier #23 i nKedtucky Monica mentioned on FB

Selected Sources:

• Safe Haven Baby Box founder addresses surrendered infant’s parent, WNKY-TV, February 11, 2023
• Kentucky sees its 1st infant anonynoousy surendered at a fire station “baby box,” CNN, February 12, 2023

2. Okolona Fire Station #1 (Louisville)

Date: June 20, 2023

Baby Information: Girl

Details: Reported to be “safe and healthy.”

Selected Sources:

• Baby Girl surrendered at Safe Haven Baby Box in Okolona, first time baby box used in Louisville, WDRB-TV, June 21, 2223
• Second newborn in Kentucky surrendered 100% anonymously via Safe Haven Baby Box, WHAS-TV, June 21, 2023

3. Bowling Green Lovers’ Lane Fire Station

Date:  July 25, 2023 (“Happy Birthday”posted on FB July 25, 2024 notes the previously unknown date is July 25, 2023.

Baby Information: Unknown

Details:  Unknown. So far, only an announcement has been made.

Selected Sources:

• 2nd newborn in 7 months surrendered at Safe Haven baby box in Bowling Green, WLKY-TV, July 27, 2023

4. Frankfort Fire Station #2 (Mount Sterling)

Date:  June 19, 2024

Baby Information: Boy

Details:  Newborn baby left in box while fire crew was out of the station for training. Fire fighers were able to reach fire station in 3 minutes. Baby reported to be in good condition.

Selected Sources:

• 50th Safe Haven Baby Box surrender in the US happens in Montgomery County, WKYT/MSN, June 18, 2024
• Press Release: 50th Safe Haven Box Surrender Occurs in Mount Sterling, KY, LinkKY, June 21, 2024

Unknown Case

While initially thought to be Kentucky, this case now appears as having happened elsewhere. We are keeping details here until more information becomes available.

Date:  December 2022

Baby Information:  Unknown

Details:  Unknown

Selected Sources: SHBB Inc made cryptic announcement on Facebook and TikTok about the case, but no other information has been released.

Updated July 25, 2024