MADISON, Ala. (WHNT) — For the first time, an infant has been surrendered to an Alabama fire station.
Several organizations and the City of Madison are now telling struggling parents that they have the option to offer their child a different life.
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“We felt like it was important for us to give moms a safe choice,” said Kids to Love Founder Lee Marshall.
Before June 2023, the legal pathway to surrender an infant ended 72 hours after birth. Now Alabama mothers have 45 days and two locations where they can anonymously place an infant in the state’s care.
On Monday afternoon , a mother placed her baby in the Safe Haven Baby Box located at Fire Station 1 in Madison. The alarm system immediately notified the firefighters inside the station.
“We were able to do a good assessment, vital check, etc., and many of us were able to hold the baby for a few minutes,” said Madison Fire Chief Dave Bailey.