During a recent government meeting, a proposal for the installation of a baby incubator box at the public safety building was presented, highlighting a pressing community need. Bobby Budman, a concerned citizen from Wolfborough, urged local officials to consider including funding for the incubator box in the upcoming budget, emphasizing its potential to save lives.

Budman referenced alarming statistics, noting that 31 infants have been found abandoned in dumpsters or other hazardous locations, with 22 of these cases resulting in fatalities. He pointed out that New Hampshire has seen five hand-to-hand surrenders of infants under the existing safe haven law, which allows desperate parents to leave their babies safely at designated locations.

The proposed incubator box would provide a secure and anonymous option for parents in crisis, allowing them to surrender their infants without the need for direct interaction. Budman stressed the importance of this initiative, particularly in a rural area where access to maternity services is limited, as the nearest reproductive health facilities are over an hour away.

He also highlighted the broader context of infant safety, noting a troubling trend in homicide statistics where infant deaths have increased even as overall homicide rates decline. Budman cited data indicating that since the inception of the safe haven law in 2004, over 4,500 babies have been relinquished, with a significant number found abandoned.

With over 200 incubator boxes already installed across the country and 47 babies surrendered since 2017, Budman argued that the community should take proactive measures to ensure the safety of vulnerable infants. The proposal aims to create a compassionate solution for desperate parents, reinforcing the existing safe haven law without altering its provisions. The discussion will continue as the budget season approaches, with hopes that the initiative will gain the necessary support from local officials.