Indiana Mom and Navy Veteran Leads Movement to Help Abandoned Newborns
Monica Kelsey, an Indiana-based Navy veteran and founder of Safe Haven Baby Boxes, Inc., is making strides in ensuring the safety of newborns through her advocacy. Recently, Wisconsin enacted a law legalizing “baby boxes,” which allows parents to surrender their newborns anonymously and securely. This law, passed in December, expands on the state’s previous Safe Haven law, which permitted the surrender of infants at fire departments, police stations, or hospitals within 72 hours of birth.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes, which are already operational in 14 states, offer a more anonymous and secure alternative for surrendering infants. These boxes, installed in the exterior walls of various facilities, are electronically monitored and temperature-controlled to ensure the baby’s safety until medical professionals can provide care.
The Safe Haven Baby Boxes program is currently legal in 22 states, though the organization does not operate in all of them. Kelsey hopes to see this number increase as she continues to advocate for the program’s expansion. She estimates that Wisconsin will receive its first baby boxes within the next few months.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has expressed support for the new law, known as Wisconsin Act 79, stating that it aligns with his administration’s priority to enhance child safety. Pro-Life Wisconsin has also endorsed the initiative, emphasizing its role in preventing the tragic outcomes associated with illegal infant abandonment.
Kelsey, who was herself abandoned as an infant, feels a personal connection to her mission. Her own story of abandonment and adoption deeply motivates her to prevent similar situations for other children. As an adult, she learned about her own birth mother’s harrowing experience, which included being a victim of a violent crime and facing immense challenges that led to Kelsey’s abandonment.
Despite the difficulties she faced in her early life, Kelsey views her experience as a source of strength and purpose. Her faith and dedication drive her to raise awareness about Safe Haven laws and ensure that every child has a chance at a safe start in life.
Kelsey’s book, “Blessed to Have Been Abandoned: The Story of the Baby Box Lady,” published in April 2021, reflects her journey and offers hope to those who find themselves in similar situations. Each baby placed in a Safe Haven Baby Box receives a signed copy of the book, providing a message of support and understanding.
Looking ahead, Kelsey remains focused on her overarching goal of preventing infant abandonment and advocating for the safety of newborns. She believes that while she cannot change her past, she can make a difference in the lives of others.
For those in crisis, Safe Haven Baby Boxes offers a 24-hour hotline (1-866-99BABY1) providing free counseling and assistance. The organization has received over 9,000 calls, referred more than 500 women to crisis pregnancy centers, assisted in nine adoption referrals, and facilitated over 140 legal Safe Haven surrenders. To date, 37 babies have been surrendered in Safe Haven Baby Boxes, with an additional three surrendered directly to firefighters at Safe Haven locations.
