Practice Tip of the Week | The Nurse’s Role in Providing a Safe Haven

By Laura Kincheloe, Ed.D., MSN, RN, NE-BC 

A recent headline in the last few weeks has incited much discussion throughout Texas about the Safe Haven law,
more commonly known as the Baby Moses law. When a biological parent experience concerns about caring for their newborn, there are options in Texas to safely transfer the care of your newborn without legal punishment. In order to qualify for utilization
of the Safe Haven, parents need to understand that the baby: 

1. Must be 60 days old or younger  
2. Must be unharmed and safe 
3. Should be taken to any hospital, fire station, emergency medical services station, or placed in a newborn safety device located in a designated emergency
   infant care provider facility for example a Safe haven baby box 

Last week in Lubbock, a newborn was placed in a Safe Haven Baby Box, the first since state law was updated to explicitly authorize the use of newborn safety devices. One question nurses may ask is, what is my role as a nurse when this happens? In an effort to learn more about what happens next, I interviewed Monica Kelsey via email. Monica is a best-selling author, and the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Safe Haven Baby boxes. She was also adopted at birth. Her story is remarkable, and her willingness to share with the nursing community about “the next steps,” was generous.  

What are Safe Haven Baby Boxes? 

Safe Haven Baby Boxes is a non-profit organization that was started in 2016 that allowed mothers to safely, legally, and anonymously surrender their infant in a temperature-controlled, electronically monitored box installed in the side of 24/7-staffed fire departments and hospitals. The box is an extension of the already instated Safe Haven Law, passed in all 50 states.  

What laws in Texas support this work? 

Texas started the Safe Haven Law in 1999 under the Baby Moses law, which allowed a parent to surrender their infant without legal repercussions. Texas then passed a statute to allow the extension of that law for the Safe Haven Baby Boxes. 

How many boxes are in Texas and where are they located? 

Right now, there are 15 active boxes located in Texas, with 3 more that will open in January 2026. Currently they are in Abilene, Lubbock, Corsicana, Wolfforth, Palestine, Conroe, Ennis, three Covenant Hospitals in Lubbock, Plainview, and Levelland, and in Dalhart, Tomball, Magnolia, and Texarkana. 

What should nurses know about Safe Haven Baby Boxes? 

Nurses should know that a parent has the exact same rights to surrender an infant in a box that they would if they walked into a hospital and surrendered person to person. Nurses should start medical attention on the infant if it’s needed and notify the local child services department.  

If a parent walks in and surrenders an infant, there is 100% confidentiality for that parent. They are not to expose that parent under any circumstances unless there are signs of neglect or abuse. The law does not protect parents who have abused their children. They will simply take the infant that the parent is giving them and ask them if they are surrendering under the Safe Haven Law, and if they don’t want to tell them anything else, they can walk away. If the parent should tell any medical information, tell them anything about the infant, or leave anything with the infant, make sure it’s documented in their records, and then turn over any items for the child to child services. Organizations should have internal policies related to these types of cases so nurses should review their hospital’s policies.  

In concluding the interview questions with Monica Kelsey, she shared, “We have seen time and time again that preparation can save and change lives. We never know when or where we will be needed, so it is crucial to have options for mothers in crisis. I am grateful for local advocates who take our mission to their community.”  

If a city or individual wants to get a Safe Haven Baby Box, they can visit the SHBB website at SHBB.org, or call SHBB at 1-888-742-2133 for more information.