The City of Lubbock recently marked a significant moment in Texas history with the first use of a Safe Haven Baby Box at Lubbock Fire Rescue Station No. 9. After more than two years since its installation, the box was used to allow a mother to safely and anonymously surrender her infant, ensuring the child had an opportunity at life.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes are designed to provide parents in crisis with a secure, legal, and confidential option to surrender an unharmed newborn. The box at Station No. 9 immediately alerted first responders when it was used. According to officials, personnel reached the baby in less than a minute, began initial assessments, and then transferred the infant to emergency medical services for further care.
Lubbock Fire Rescue Chief Richard Stewart addressed the situation with compassion during a press conference.
“For the mother, I don't know your situation or pain, but I do know in your darkest moment, you have the courage and love for your baby to give them an opportunity of life, and we are grateful for that,” Stewart said. “We are praying for you, for your recovery, your healing and peace.”
Texas’ Safe Haven Law, sometimes referred to as the Baby Moses Law, allows a parent to surrender an unharmed infant anonymously at approved locations such as hospitals, fire stations, emergency medical services stations, and free-standing emergency centers. The law is intended to prevent unsafe abandonments while prioritizing both the child’s safety and the parent’s anonymity.
Monica Kelsey, CEO of Safe Haven Baby Box, said the successful use of the Lubbock box demonstrates that the system works as intended. The infant, referred to as “Baby Lubbock,” was reported to be safe and healthy following the surrender.
“To the parent, thank you,” Kelsey said. “Thank you for trusting us. Thank you for trusting the fire department to take it from here. Your baby is safe and your baby is healthy, and the process is working for a forever family to get the call that they've been waiting for many years, probably.”
Kelsey emphasized that the event underscores the importance of expanding access to Safe Haven Baby Boxes, particularly in Texas. She noted that increased availability also helps raise public awareness that safe, anonymous surrender options have long existed.
Currently, Lubbock County has four Safe Haven Baby Boxes located at:
Lubbock Fire Rescue Station No. 9 – 4814 50th St., Lubbock
Wolfforth Fire & EMS Station – 305 Cedar Ave., Wolfforth
Covenant Children’s Hospital – 4002 24th St., Lubbock
Covenant Health Levelland – 1900 College Ave., Levelland
A fifth box is expected to be installed soon at University Medical Center in Lubbock.
“The more boxes that are being put in, the more we can work in communities, educating our first responders, educating the schools that this is now available anonymously, but also reminding the public that this has always been here,” Kelsey said.
Since 2017, Safe Haven Baby Box has reported 74 babies placed in baby boxes nationwide and 187 safe handoffs directly to staff, with 410 active boxes currently operating across the United States.
Local leaders attended the press conference on Monday, Jan. 5, including Mayor Mark McBrayer, Mayor Pro Tem Christy Martinez Garcia, and Councilwoman Jennifer Willson. Martinez Garcia highlighted the broader community effort behind the initiative.
“It demonstrates how when we work together, good things can happen for us all and for the future of this beautiful baby that I will now call ‘Baby Lubbock,’” she said. “Blessed us, we live in Lubbock. And that makes all the difference, that we have a caring community with resources.”
Officials and advocates encourage anyone facing a crisis involving an infant to seek help rather than feel alone. Parents in need of information or immediate support can contact the Safe Haven Crisis Line at 1-866-99BABY1 or visit https://www.shbb.org/parents-in-crisis
for confidential assistance.
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