Texas records first Safe Haven Baby Box surrender in Lubbock

The Safe Haven Baby Box at Lubbock Fire Rescue Station No. 9 was used for the first time when a mother surrendered an infant; firefighters reached the baby in under a minute and EMS took over care.

Lubbock officials said the city recorded the first use of a Safe Haven Baby Box in Texas at Lubbock Fire Rescue Station No. 9. The box had been installed more than two years earlier. City and Safe Haven Baby Box representatives held a press conference to announce the surrender and describe the response. Texas law allows a parent in crisis to anonymously surrender an unharmed infant at approved locations. Known details: - The Safe Haven Baby Box at Lubbock Fire Rescue Station No. 9 was used for the first time to accept a surrendered infant. - Fire personnel reported they reached the infant in less than a minute, assessed the child, and EMS assumed medical care. - Officials and Safe Haven CEO Monica Kelsey referred to the child as "Baby Lubbock" and said the baby was healthy. - Lubbock County currently has four baby boxes, and a fifth is planned for University Medical Center in Lubbock. - Kelsey said that since 2017 there have been 74 babies placed in Safe Haven Baby Boxes nationwide, with 187 handoffs and 410 active boxes. - Fire Chief Richard Stewart, Monica Kelsey, Mayor Mark McBrayer, Mayor Pro Tem Christy Martinez Garcia, and Councilwoman Jennifer Willson attended the announcement. Summary: Officials said the surrender demonstrates the Safe Haven Baby Box process working as intended and that the infant received immediate medical attention. Undetermined at this time.