GADSDEN, Ala. (WBRC) – The death of Blessence Pearl, a toddler found in a hearse last weekend, is sparking renewed discussion over the options available to parents who feel they can no longer care for their children, especially those older than the age limit allowed under Alabama’s Safe Haven law.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes, including one in Gadsden, give parents a way to legally and anonymously surrender an infant up to 45 days old without facing prosecution. The boxes are installed at participating fire stations and hospitals as part of an effort to prevent abandonment and save lives.
Safe Haven Founder and CEO Monica Kelsey said the program has proven effective in Alabama, with multiple babies surrendered safely in the past year. But she noted that older children are left outside the protection of the law, forcing parents to navigate a more complex system…