SULLIVAN COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) – The Bloomingdale Volunteer Fire Department hosted a dedication event for the introduction of Sullivan County’s first Safe Haven Baby Box.

“It’s crucial for the volunteers as well as all firemen, rescue squads, EMS, and police,” stated Mark Bowery, the fire department’s board president. “Our priority is the welfare of children, and improving their safety is our commitment. This initiative aligns perfectly with our goals.”

The goal of the Baby Box is to provide a way for parents who cannot care for a child a safe and legal way to give up custody of the child.

When a baby is placed into the box, it triggers a silent alarm to alert 911 dispatchers, who then notify law enforcement. Subsequently, the baby is taken to a hospital for medical assessment and then entrusted to child protection services or an adoption agency.

Jessica White is a Sullivan County resident who worked to raise money for the baby box.

“Sullivan County has a lot of children in our foster care system,” White said. “We have a lot of children that need homes.

“Pregnant women and women generally hold a special place in my heart, and I wish to provide them with an additional resource and a safe, legal means to surrender their child,” expressed Betz, emphasizing the new option available.

Mariah Betz, the project manager for Safe Haven, said the process keeps the parents anonymous.

“In smaller communities, they might recognize people at a fire station or hospital, and they wish to avoid that,” Betz continued. “This ensures complete anonymity.”

“Ultimately, this serves as a legal and safe recourse for parents who cannot care for their child, and it is not about judgment or shame,” Betz concluded.