Bloomington, Indiana – The Bloomington Fire Department has taken another compassionate step toward protecting the lives of newborns by expanding access to Safe Haven Baby Boxes in the community. The department officially opened a new box at Fire Station #2, located at 209 S. Fairfield Drive, and also reopened the previously closed box at Fire Station #1 on East Fourth Street. This expansion underscores the city’s deepening commitment to ensuring that every parent facing a desperate situation has a safe, legal, and anonymous option to surrender an infant.
These Baby Boxes are part of a nationwide effort to offer a last-resort solution for parents who feel they cannot care for their newborn. The boxes provide complete anonymity and trigger an immediate alert to emergency responders, ensuring that the baby is retrieved and cared for within minutes. The initiative is grounded in Indiana’s Safe Haven Law (Indiana Code 31-34-2.5), which allows for the legal and anonymous surrender of an infant less than 30 days old, without fear of criminal prosecution.
The newest Safe Haven Baby Box at Station #2 was made possible through a $10,000 grant awarded by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to the Fire Department’s Mobile Integrated Health unit earlier this year. The installation itself was completed at no cost to the city, thanks to the generosity of AMI Roofing Contractors, Inc., who donated their labor and materials as a community service.
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“I am so proud to have been on this expansion journey, and I will continue to collaborate and raise the flag for public awareness efforts to ensure that every person knows there is a safe, legal, and anonymous way to give a child a future,” said Community EMT Trisha Rademachir, who authored the grant application and has played a pivotal role in the Safe Haven initiative.
In 2021, Fire Station #1 experienced significant flooding that forced the temporary closure of its original Safe Haven Baby Box. With repairs completed and the unit fully operational again, Bloomington now has two active Baby Boxes available to residents — and three in total across Monroe County.
“Adding a second Safe Haven Baby Box for the City of Bloomington Fire Department and a third for Monroe County as a whole marks a critical, caring, and compassionate step forward in safeguarding the lives of our most vulnerable citizens—newborns in crisis,” said Fire Chief Roger Kerr. “This expansion of access to Safe Haven Baby Boxes strengthens the City of Bloomington’s commitment to public safety and family support and reinforces Monroe County’s dedication to protecting life through practical, anonymous, and legal options for parents in distress.”
The dedication of the new Baby Box will be marked by a blessing ceremony on June 11, 2025, at 1 p.m. at Fire Station #2. The public is invited to attend, along with members of the media. The event will feature remarks from Mayor Kerry Thomson, Fire Chief Kerr, and the department’s Chaplain, Lt. Ray Cazee.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes have proven to be an effective tool in reducing infant abandonment not only in Indiana but across the country. They provide a nonjudgmental solution for mothers and families experiencing extreme stress, shame, or fear. Each Baby Box is temperature-controlled and monitored 24/7. When a baby is placed inside, a silent alarm is immediately triggered, alerting emergency personnel who retrieve the infant within five minutes. The baby is then taken to a hospital for evaluation and placed into care through state channels.
By reestablishing and expanding the availability of these boxes, Bloomington is helping eliminate the barriers that might prevent a parent from making a safe decision during a personal crisis. Each box offers reassurance that there is a secure, legal alternative to unsafe abandonment — one that prioritizes the wellbeing of the child above all.
“This is more than just another box on a wall — it is a safety net for someone who feels out of options,” said Rademachir. “It tells them they are not alone, and that there is a path forward, even in their darkest moment.”
In recent years, the Safe Haven Baby Box program has gained national attention for saving lives in places where they are available. With each additional installation, community awareness increases and more families learn about this vital option. Advocates say the goal is not only to offer a physical place for surrender but also to open a larger conversation about mental health, postpartum care, and the many pressures that new parents can face.
Bloomington’s leadership sees this initiative as part of a broader commitment to public health and safety. Beyond the act of surrendering an infant, the effort speaks to a larger culture of compassion, prevention, and support — values the city hopes to continue promoting across all levels of service.
By maintaining and expanding its Safe Haven Baby Box program, Bloomington is taking meaningful action to save lives while providing parents in crisis with dignity, anonymity, and hope. And as public awareness grows, so does the potential for even more communities in Indiana and beyond to follow suit.
With new resources, restored access, and ongoing public education, the city is doubling down on its promise to protect every child — and to stand ready when someone in distress needs a lifeline.
