LUBBOCK, Texas — Lubbock Fire Rescue Chief Richard Stewart on Monday announced a mother surrendered her baby at the Safe Haven Baby Box at Fire Station 9 within the past 10 days.
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Authorities said the baby is safe, and they are thankful. This was the first-ever Safe Haven Baby Box surrender in Texas. The boxes act as a safe and anonymous way for a parent in a crisis to surrender a newborn baby. The box is equipped with three silent alarms to alert first responders when an infant is placed inside. The baby is attended to in under five minutes and taken to a hospital for medical evaluation.
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“The surrender occurred in accordance with Texas Safe Haven laws, which allows a parent in crisis to safely and anonymously surrender an unharmed infant,” LFR said. “Upon placement in the Baby Box, Lubbock Fire Rescue personnel were immediately alerted and responded within seconds to provide care and ensure the infant was transported for medical evaluation by UMC EMS personnel.”
The baby is now in the care of appropriate medical and child welfare professionals.
The Lubbock area has Safe Haven Baby Boxes at the following locations:
- Lubbock Fire Rescue Fire Station No. 9 – 4814 50th Street, Lubbock., Texas 79414
- Wolfforth Fire & EMS Station – 305 Cedar Ave, Wolfforth, TX 79382
- Covenant Children’s Hospital – 4002 24th St, Lubbock, TX 79410
- Covenant Health Levelland – 1900 College Ave., Levelland, TX 79336
“Parents in need of immediate help or information can access confidential support 24/7 through the Safe Haven Baby Box Hotline at: 1-866-99BABY1 (1-866-992-2291),” LFR said. There are 410 boxes across the country and counting. Find more information here…