LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – A mother has legally and safely surrendered her baby to a Safe Haven Baby Box for the first time in Texas, Lubbock leaders announced Monday afternoon.
Within the last 10 days, an area mother left her baby to the immediate care of first responders at Fire Station 9 near 50th St. and Utica Ave. The fire chief, mayor and councilmembers said they are praying for the mother’s healing and peace in knowing she gave her baby the gift of safety and the opportunity for a future.
“It’s just an amazing thing. This is the first baby delivered to a baby box right here in Lubbock. I always say lucky me, I live in Lubbock, lucky baby to be born in Lubbock where this exists,” Mayor Mark McBrayer said.
Monica Kelsey, CEO of Safe Haven Baby Box, said speaking directly to the mother is one of the main reasons they address the public after a baby is surrendered.
“I don’t know your situation or pain, but I do know in your darkest moment, you had the courage and love for your baby to give them an opportunity at life,” Lubbock Fire Rescue Chief Richard Stewart said.
Stewart says the mother’s courage brought her baby somewhere safe, protected and well-cared for. Within one minute of being placed in the box, the child was in the arms of a firefighter.
“When they actually approached and saw that there was a baby there, they were terrified, but immediately got in control and put all the lessons that they’ve learned about this into action. And one of the things that was also profound for me was when they picked up the baby. At first, it cried. Then it went back to sleep. Isn’t that awesome? That’s how safe that little one felt. And that’s what it’s all about,” said Councilwoman Christy Martinez-Garcia.
Under Texas’ Safe Haven laws, a parent in crisis can safely surrender an unharmed infant 60 days or younger to an employee at any hospital, fire or EMS station. With Safe Haven Baby Boxes, they can do that with complete anonymity.
Kelsey, who was abandoned just hours after she was born, said this case was different.
“This baby wasn’t abandoned. This baby was lovingly, legally, anonymously, and safely surrendered into a baby box by a parent that wanted something more for them,” Kelsey said.
The baby was taken to the hospital for treatment and is now under the care of Child Protective Services. Kelsey said most are in their forever home within 30 days and formally adopted within six months.
Councilwoman Dr. Jennifer Wilson said access to one of these boxes can mean the difference between life and death. Lubbock has been working to provide this resource since before approving the first box in early 2024 and opening it months later as the second city in the state to provide the service.
City leaders thanked the Lubbock Professional Firefighters Association for its work to help bring the box to Lubbock, and Turning Point Community Church for funding it.
Parents in crisis can now also find Safe Haven Baby Boxes at Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock, Covenant Health Levelland, Covenant Health Plainview and Wolfforth Fire & EMS Station.
There’s also a Safe Haven Baby Box at Fire Station One in Hobbs, which has been utilized three times, and one at the fire department in Portales.
Kelsey said she’ll be back next week for the opening of another at UMC in Lubbock.
“Texas is the number one state in America right now for infant abandonment, and we have to change that. And so, the more boxes that are being put in, the more we can work in communities educating our first responders, educating the schools that this is now available anonymously,” Kelsey said.
Kelsey said she hopes to see the day there is one at every single fire station across the country.
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