For the first time since the state installed a Safe Haven Baby Box, a newborn was placed inside the secure unit at St. Francis Children’s Hospital in Tulsa. The box, which was installed in March 2025, automatically locks and sounds an alarm the moment a baby is placed inside, alerting staff to provide immediate care.
How the Safe Haven system works
Safe Haven Baby Boxes are climate‑controlled, discreet containers that allow a parent to surrender an infant anonymously and safely. Once the baby is placed inside, the box locks and an alarm notifies hospital personnel, who then follow established protocols to ensure the child’s health and begin the adoption process.
First use in Oklahoma
Hospital staff reported that the alarm sounded shortly after the infant was placed in the box. Medical teams responded quickly, confirming the baby was healthy and safe. While details about the infant and the parent remain confidential, officials emphasized that the child is now on the road to adoption.
Community response
Monica Kelsey, founder and CEO of Safe Haven Baby Boxes, praised the mother’s decision, calling it “an act of love.” She said, “She chose life. She chose safety. She chose hope.” Hospital representatives added that the Safe Haven program exists to help families in crisis and to protect vulnerable newborns.
Growth of the program
Oklahoma now has several Safe Haven Baby Boxes installed across the state, including three in Oklahoma City. Nationwide, more than 480 boxes have been placed in 27 states, offering a compassionate alternative for parents who feel unable to care for their newborns.
What this means for families
The successful use of the Tulsa box underscores the importance of community‑based solutions that uphold the sanctity of life and provide a safe, loving option for infants in need. Local faith groups and family‑focused organizations have welcomed the development, seeing it as a tangible expression of caring for the most vulnerable members of society.
Authorities encourage anyone facing an unplanned pregnancy or struggling with parental responsibilities to seek help from local resources, including counseling, financial assistance, and the Safe Haven program, rather than considering abandonment.
Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
