Saving Babies One Box at a Time

By Gloria Way

The Chambers County Safe Haven Baby Box is located at Chambers County EMS Station 2, 5610 FM 3180 (south on FM 3180 from I-10).

   Before baby boxes existed, Texas already had a legal system for safely surrendering infants.

Texas passed its Safe Haven law, often called the Baby Moses Law, in 1999. It allows a parent to legally and anonymously surrender a newborn, up to 60 days old, at places like hospitals, fire stations, or EMS facilities. The goal was to prevent unsafe abandonment, for example leaving babies in dumpsters or public places; but the surrender of the baby required handing the baby directly to a person.

  Despite the Baby Moses Law, Texas still has a historically high rate of illegal infant abandonment. One major factor is the parent(s) desire for fully anonymity – they want to avoid face-to-face surrender.

  The modern baby box concept in the US started with the nonprofit Safe Haven Baby Boxes, founded in 2015 by Monica Kelsey. These boxes were designed to allow anonymous surrender without face-to-face interaction, automatically alert staff within minutes, and provide a climate-controlled, secure space for the infant. The first US baby box was installed in Indiana in 2026.

  In 2023, in the 88^th Texas Legislature, Texas passed Senate Bill 780 which officially authorized “newborn safety devices” (baby boxes) by integrating them into the existing Safe Haven law. This was the key turning point that made installations possible in the state.

  Loretta Emmons, vice chairman of Chambers County Republican Women (CCRW), became aware of the high rate of babies still being abandoned in Texas. Emmons took her concerns to the group. CCRW under Emmons leadership immediately embraced the idea of having a Safe Haven baby box in Chambers County. “It took us about a year from start to finish to bring Safe Haven baby box to fruition,” said Emmons. “It would not have happened without the support of Chambers County EMS and Commissioners Court. Ryan Holzapfel, Chambers County Emergency Services Chief, assisted us in selecting a location.”

  Emmons thanked all the anonymous donors to the baby box project. “We don’t know who you are, but we are so grateful for your donations. We also want to thank our major sponsors. Many thanks to Wowco Equipment, Bill Wallace and Jimmy and Shirley Smith; Eagle Insights Counseling, Kelli and David Redd; Macy and Mayes Middleton, Isis and Ryan Dagley, Becky and Mark Tice; Dan Linebaugh; Rachal and George Hisler, and Loretta and Mike Emmons.”