San Antonio, Texas — After years of pushing to bring Safe Haven Baby Boxes to San Antonio, a local child advocate says installing three boxes at city fire stations marks an important step toward protecting newborns whose parents are in crisis.
Pamela Allen, CEO of Eagle Flight Advocacy, has spent years helping vulnerable children and families. Her work has also included burying babies who died at the hands of their parents or caregivers.
Allen has advocated for Safe Haven Baby Boxes in San Antonio for the past three to four years. Now, with three boxes coming to the city, she says the effort is finally becoming a reality.
“It is such an amazing feeling to know that we have taken another step in protecting the most vulnerable here in San Antonio,” Allen said. “We’re celebrating, and it’s a great day to be an advocate.”
Safe Haven Baby Boxes provide a secure, anonymous way for parents to surrender newborns under applicable state safe haven laws. The boxes have alarms that notify first responders when a baby is placed inside.
The goal is to prevent newborns from being abandoned in unsafe locations, where they could suffer serious injuries or die.
Addressing concerns about mothers in crisis
While supporters believe the boxes can save lives, critics have questioned whether communities should instead focus more resources on helping mothers before they reach the point of surrendering a child.
During an interview with FOX San Antonio, Allen was asked whether installing the boxes could mean communities aren’t doing enough to help women before they reach a crisis.
Allen acknowledged that more outreach and support are needed, but said some women face circumstances that make it hard to seek or receive help.
“You know, there are many organizations that help moms that are in crisis,” Allen said.
She pointed to cases involving newborns abandoned in trash cans, along highways or in wooded areas. Allen said some of the mothers involved in such cases have experienced homelessness, mental health challenges, or substance abuse.
“So, yes, I understand that there’s a lot that can be done for mothers,” Allen said. “There’s more outreach that probably could take place. But at this point we need to focus on saving those babies.”
For Allen, the issue is deeply personal. Through her advocacy work, she has witnessed the consequences of child abuse and neglect, including the deaths of babies whose funerals she has helped arrange.
The arrival of the boxes represents another option for parents who may feel they have nowhere to turn.
Blessing ceremony planned at San Antonio fire station
The San Antonio Fire Department will hold a blessing ceremony for the new Safe Haven Baby Boxes on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 11 a.m. at Fire Station No. 7, located at 1414 S. St. Mary’s St.
The three new boxes are expected to become the 24th, 25th, and 26th Safe Haven Baby Box locations in Texas, according to information provided for the ceremony.
The boxes are intended to provide another option for parents facing a crisis while allowing emergency personnel to respond quickly and care for a surrendered newborn.
For Allen, who has spent years advocating for their arrival, the focus remains on preventing another baby’s death.
“We need to focus on saving those babies,” Allen said.