The Rock Community Fire Protection District is evaluating the potential to bring up to two more Safe Haven Baby Boxes into Jefferson County, Chief Kevin Wingbermuehle said.
The Safe Haven Baby Box organization, founded by Monica Kelsey, is based in Woodburn, Ind., and facilitates legal child surrenders at local agencies and operates a national crisis hotline.
Under Missouri law, parents may surrender their infants up to 45 days old at any hospital, fire station, ambulance house or police station with no legal repercussions.
The Big River Ambulance District unveiled the county’s first Baby Box in January 2025 at its House 1, 6321 Lorens Lane, in Cedar Hill.
“Any installation remains contingent upon legal review and, importantly, our ability to successfully integrate the system into our existing firehouse structures,” Wingbermuehle said. “That evaluation has not yet been completed in full, so neither the number of boxes nor the locations should be considered finalized at this point.”
A Baby Box is a climate-controlled, ventilated box that is typically installed on an exterior wall of a first responder facility or hospital. The box has an alarm system that is triggered if the front door is opened, and there is a camera on the inside of the box to monitor what is placed inside it.
Wingbermuehle said Rock Fire was approached in June about possibly installing a box within its district, which covers approximately 38 square miles in Arnold and Kimmswick and portions of Imperial and Barnhart.
“The discussions progressed fairly quickly as we learned more about the program, the potential funding available and what would be required from the district,” he said.
Wingbermuehle said the district is considering putting one box at House 1, 1533 Jeffco Blvd., in Arnold, and it may place a second box at House 2, 1299 Imperial Main St., in Imperial.
“House 1 is being considered because of the population density in that area, significant traffic volume and the location,” he said. “Those factors could make it an accessible and recognizable location for someone who needs the service.
“House 2 has been identified as a location of interest by Safe Haven Baby Boxes, particularly because of its proximity to Interstate 55. Its location could provide convenient access for people within the district as well as those traveling through the area.”
Wingbermuehle said Rock Fire officials have been told $40,000 in donations have already been secured to purchase up to two Baby Boxes for the district.
“I’m highly impressed at how quickly the funds were committed, and this is what led to discussion of a second location,” he said. “That level of financial support removes a significant portion of the potential cost and gives us an opportunity to seriously evaluate whether this resource can be brought to our community.”
However, Wingbermuehle said the district still needs to determine if the boxes may be properly installed at its buildings, and what the costs would be for construction and electrical work, security and other modifications.
“Until the facilities are fully evaluated, we do not yet know what installation costs may be associated with the baby box project or what amount, if any, the district may need to contribute,” he said. “Any use of district funds would be considered along with our other facility needs and our responsibility to use taxpayer dollars appropriately.”
Rock Fire Board of Director members voted unanimously on Aug. 27 to sign an agreement with the Safe Haven Baby Box organization to potentially have one or two Baby Boxes installed in the district, pending legal counsel reviewing the agreement.
“A unanimous vote demonstrates that the board recognizes the potential value this resource could provide to our community,” Wingbermuehle said. “Just as importantly, making the authorization contingent upon legal counsel’s review is the responsible way to proceed. We also still have to determine whether the proposed installations are physically feasible within our facilities and what costs or modifications may be involved.
“The board’s action allows us to continue moving the process forward while making sure the district performs the necessary due diligence before making a final commitment.”
Wingbermuehle said adding more Baby Boxes in Jefferson County would provide additional safe options for someone facing an extremely difficult situation, and the boxes offer an additional level of anonymity for someone who may be unwilling or afraid to make a face-to-face surrender.
“Hopefully, a box will never need to be used, but if having one available prevents even one newborn from being abandoned in an unsafe location and allows that child to receive immediate care, then it has served an incredibly important purpose,” he said. “It comes down to protecting life and providing a safe option when someone may feel they have no other one. The tremendous financial support already pledged by individuals and organizations also sends a clear message that our community sees value in this project and wants to help make it a reality.”