Local organizers say the goal is simple but powerful—offer a safe, legal, and anonymous option for parents in crisis to legally surrender their baby while ensuring the infants receive immediate care.
Fundraising efforts are currently underway, with community leaders, local officials, and first responders rallying behind the project. What is now needed, according to Jenn Jones, Ellwood City resident who has spearheaded this project, is help from the business community and residents.
“When a community participates in the fundraising, they are invested,” Jones said. “And everyone should want to live in a community where the most vulnerable citizens are a priority.”
The cost to acquire the box is $16,500 and then $1,000 a year thereafter for maintenance of the box.
Rick Myers, fire chief for the Borough of Ellwood City, is helping Jones to facilitate the project as the box will be located at the fire station on 411 6th St. He said that the Ellwood City Forge has pledged a matching donation of $8,000 while Ellwood City Glass company will donate supplies for installation.
“The Forge really hopes that other businesses will step up to help match their pledge,” Myers said.
Fireman Dan Yoder, local organizer Jenn Jones, and Fire Chief Rick Myers
Safe Haven Baby Boxes are part of a national initiative led by the nonprofit organization Safe Haven Baby Boxes, which was founded to prevent the unsafe abandonment of infants. Since launching its first box in 2016, the organization has worked across the United States to install these devices at fire stations and hospitals, while also promoting awareness of Safe Haven laws and operating a 24-hour crisis hotline for parents in need. These laws allow a parent to legally and anonymously surrender a newborn—no questions asked—at designated locations, ensuring the baby’s safety and protection. The organization’s mission centers on providing “a lifeline for mothers and a safe beginning for their newborns,” emphasizing compassion, privacy, and immediate care.
Both Jones and Myers said there is a major need in this area for a box. Myers said that at least four infant fatalities have occurred in this area alone, and he hopes that providing this option will ensure that never happens again.
“Even if we only have to use this once, that is one life saved,” he said.
Jones said she has heard stories of women driving 8 hours to find a box, and the Ellwood City box will serve parents in numerous communities, counties, and the tri-state area. She said there are currently only 5 boxes in Pennsylvania in the following areas: Lancaster, State College, McConnellburg, Corry, and Hermitage. According to Jones, the Ellwood City box would be the closest box available to those in Allegheny County, Beaver County, Lawrence County, as well as outlying counties and communities.
“Women are encouraged to make life affirming choices,” Jones said. “If we want them to do that, we have to give them that opportunity and this box does that.”
Jones, a social worker and former adoption supervisor, said surrendering a baby isn’t an easy decision for parents and they are likely making that decision to do what is best for the baby. She said that surrendering a baby can come with a feeling of shame, especially for the mother. She stressed that despite the situation or circumstances the mission is to save lives. Because of the anonymity the Save Haven box provides, parents can safely surrender their baby without face-to-face interaction, which is the case when a baby is surrendered at a hospital.
“This is the ONLY way to surrender a baby anonymously legally,” she said.
The boxes themselves are designed with safety as the top priority. Installed in exterior walls, they resemble a small, secure compartment accessible from outside a building. When a baby is placed inside, the system activates multiple alarms to alert staff inside, while the exterior door locks automatically to protect the infant. Inside the box, the baby rests in a climate-controlled, oxygenated, bassinet-like space until first responders retrieve them—often within minutes—to begin medical evaluation and care.
Myers said since the Ellwood City Fire Station is manned 24 hours a day by a paramedic, the baby will receive immediate medical care and attention within two minutes of being placed in the box.
“Care will begin immediately,” he said.
Myers also encourages the mother to seek care, whether it be medical care or counseling.
“That mom still needs to get the care she needs in order to do the right thing for herself also,” he said.
Jones said the box itself, which she described as a “cabinet like” structure will have a bag inside for the parent(s) with information about free counseling options. The parent can also provide anonymous medical information.
Myers said once a baby is surrendered a parent cannot change their mind.
“Once surrendered a parent would have to go through a legal process to get the baby back,” he said.
The impact of Safe Haven Baby Boxes has been significant. Hundreds of boxes have been installed nationwide, providing an option for parents who might otherwise feel they have nowhere to turn. In addition to the boxes themselves, the organization supports communities through education, first responder training, and outreach campaigns designed to ensure people know help is available. Each safe surrender represents a life protected and a crisis met with compassion.
As Jones works toward bringing a Safe Haven Baby Box to Ellwood City, she says the project is about more than installing a device—it’s about offering hope. By combining community support with a proven national program, she aims to create a place where even in the most difficult moments, a safe and caring option exists for both parent and child.
Learn more about Safe Haven Baby Boxes Here.
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