Lubbock and the surrounding South Plains region now have multiple Safe Haven Baby Boxes for the surrender and protection of newborn infants.
Baby Boxes are now located at Lubbock Fire Station 9 (4814 50th St), Wolfforth Fire Station, and Covenant Health facilities (Children’s, Levelland, Plainview), with the newest at University Medical Center in Lubbock.
In early January, Lubbock Fire Station 9 became the site of the first successful, anonymous surrender of a newborn in Texas. Authorities have reported the infant is safe and the surrender occurred in accordance with Texas Safe Haven laws.
According to the Lubbock Fire Department, upon placement in the climate-controlled Baby Box, Lubbock Fire Rescue personnel were immediately alerted and responded within seconds to provide care and ensure the infant was transported for medical evaluation by UMC EMS personnel. The baby is now in the care of appropriate medical and child welfare professionals.
The Texas Safe Haven Law (or Baby Moses Law) allows parents to anonymously and safely surrender an unharmed infant 60 days old or younger at designated safe places, such as hospitals, fire stations, EMS stations, or licensed emergency centers, without fear of prosecution. This law protects parents from criminal charges for abandonment if the baby is unharmed and given to a staff member, ensuring the child receives care until a permanent home is found.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes are climate-controlled and equipped with three silent alarms to alert first responders when an infant is placed inside. The baby is attended to in under five minutes and taken to a hospital for medical evaluation.
Because confidentiality is different than anonymity, the fundamental value of Safe Haven is that saving a life takes precedence over all other considerations with a philosophy of baby first, mom second.
Summer Strauss, a seasoned foster parent and community advocate, spearheaded the effort to bring the boxes to the region after Texas legalized the technology in 2023, and the momentum in Lubbock continues to grow after starting off with the congregation at Turning Point Community Church According to Pastor D Small, South Quaker Campus of Turning Point, said the congregation stepped up to fund the project entirely through private donations, ensuring no tax dollars were used. To date, the church has sponsored four boxes in the immediate Lubbock area, including the one used at Station 9, as well as locations at Wolfforth Fire and EMS and Covenant Children’s Hospital, and now UMC.
Lubbock Fire Department said parents in need of immediate help or information can access confidential support 24/7 through the Safe Haven Baby Box Hotline at: 1-86699BABY1 (1-866-9922291). There are 410 boxes across the country and counting.