Committee adopts media‑release protocol for Safe Haven baby‑box surrenders

The Hendersonville General Committee voted Oct. 14 to forward Resolution 2025‑37, which establishes protocols for media releases and public disclosure following Safe Haven baby‑box surrenders.

Committee members described the subject as emotionally sensitive and said the policy aims to protect surrendering parents while still providing necessary public information. Alderman Rachel Collins, who led the discussion, said the policy’s intent is to "protect the surrender and the surrendering" and to provide a standardized playbook for timing and content of releases.

Collins said the city consulted the organization behind the baby‑box program and that the city would generally defer to the program’s guidance about timing and which details to release. "They have learned so much about this in their process ... I think their policies should be followed to best protect everyone involved," Collins said. Staff added that following the program’s timing tends to give surrendering mothers a window to receive reassurance before information is widely released and that about 75% of mothers accepted follow‑up therapy in examples cited by the program.

Committee members agreed the city should limit identifying details in releases (for example, not releasing exact age or identifying facts that could reveal identity) but suggested including limited humanizing language, such as the infant's sex, when appropriate. The committee voted to forward the resolution with a positive recommendation to BOMA.

Next steps: the draft protocol will be considered by BOMA. If adopted, staff said standardized press‑release templates and timing rules would be used for future surrenders.