Resident urges city to allow Safe Haven baby box in El Campo

Jane Smith, a lifelong El Campo resident, urged the City Council to permit installation of a Safe Haven baby box in the city to give parents a secure, anonymous alternative to abandoning infants.

"It's called the Safe Haven Law," Smith said, describing how the boxes allow a mother to leave a newborn in a monitored compartment at a fire or police station without giving her name. She told the council the concept she is promoting includes a pamphlet and counseling materials and an alarm that summons emergency responders within minutes.

Smith estimated the installation cost at about $25,000 to $27,000 and said there are ongoing expenses such as an annual inspection fee she estimated at roughly $600. She told the council she believes funding already exists through an Indiana-based nonprofit and emphasized the local earmark: "All the money, I will never put touch a copper penny. You will never touch a copper penny. It goes straight to Indiana and it's earmarked for El Campo." (Jane Smith)

Smith said the boxes are intended to reduce instances of unsafe infant abandonment and to provide immediate medical attention: staff or EMS would be notified and the infant taken to a hospital within minutes. She asked the council to certify a location and allow organizers to install the device and place directional signs once a site is approved.

The council did not take immediate action on Smith's request during the meeting; Smith said she and local volunteers would continue outreach and fundraising.