Safe Haven Baby Box opens in Collier County, offering anonymity to parents

COLLIER COUNTY - Collier County has introduced a new life-saving tool called the "Safe Haven Baby Box."

This box, located at EMS Station 76 on Logan Blvd. and Vanderbilt Beach Road, offers a safe and anonymous option for individuals to leave a baby.

This is the first Baby Box in Collier County. It provides a safe, anonymous option for individuals who decide to leave a baby there.

The box is situated outside the station, right by the front entrance. All someone needs to do is open the door, place the baby inside, and close the door. Once closed, an alarm is triggered.

WINK News tested the alarm, and it is loud enough to be heard from the parking lot.

The box is three feet by four feet and climate-controlled. Once the box's door closes and the alarm goes off, the baby will be rescued within a minute.

"I can't imagine the emotions that a mother is going through to even bring their baby here, but I'm so proud that they can because it's a protected place. It gives the baby life, and that baby is going to have a mom and a dad that's going to love it for all of its life," said Hall.

The blessing ceremony for the Baby Box took place at 2 p.m. at 790 Logan Boulevard North, Naples. Community leaders, county officials, first responders, and partner agencies were invited to attend the ceremony, after which the Safe Haven Baby Box would officially be open for use.

"We're standing here at this station blessing a box going in the wall, so that tomorrow we don't have to bless a box going in the ground," said Monica Kelsey, founder and CEO of Safe Haven Baby Boxes.

Kelsey shared that her mission is deeply personal, stemming from her own experience of being abandoned as a newborn.

"My birth mom, back in 1973, had no options, and she abandoned me two hours after I was born. And so for me, this is personal, so I had to take my pain and take my story and turn it into something better for others," Kelsey said.

The idea for a Safe Haven Baby Box in Collier County was proposed by County Commissioner Chris Hall last year. Today, it has become a reality.

"We're offering life protection," Hall said. "Totally anonymous, no shame, no guilt."

While the Safe Haven Baby Box at Collier County EMS Station 76 is operational, Hall stressed the importance of spreading awareness.

"The word needs to get out, and the right person will hear it," Hall said. "Let everybody you know, everybody you love, let them know. Let them know that it's available."

The box is now available, ready, and supported by the community.