Howard Memorial to Install “Safe Haven Box” to Combat Child Abandonment

Howard Memorial Hospital announced this week its intent to install a Safe Haven Baby Box on the hospital grounds. The purpose of this box aligns with the Arkansas Safe Haven law which allows a parent to bring a child, 30 days old or younger to an employee at any hospital emergency room, law enforcement agency, fire department that is staffed 24 hours a day, or a designated newborn safety device anonymously and without facing prosecution.

In the release from the hospital it states that, “Abandonment is a problem and young women don’t want to be known or seen, especially, in a small town where everyone knows everyone. If we can save at least one baby, it is worth it. This Safe Haven box is temperature controlled and programmed with several silent alarms to alert first responders. A silent alarm is triggered when the outside door is opened, when the baby is placed in the bassinet and again when the door is closed and automatically locked. Sensors notify the staff who will retrieve the baby in a target time of less than five minutes.

In the state of Arkansas the law currently only allows the parent of the child to make the drop off. The child, upon being received, will receive medical attention if needed and then be placed into the custody of the Department of Human Services. The Howard Memorial Hospital foundation is asking for support in this initiative via tax deductible donations which can be mailed to the hospital.