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Council approves Safe Haven baby box at fire station, funded by Via Christi Foundation
Summary
Wichita City Council approved a lease and service agreement May 5 to install a Safe Haven Baby Box at Fire Station 9; Via Christi Foundation pledged initial capital and maintenance funding and partners (St. Joseph, Wesley hospitals, RidgePoint Church) will provide clinical support.
The Wichita City Council voted May 5 to approve a lease and service agreement for a Safe Haven Baby Box to be installed at Fire Station 9 (350 S. Edgemore). The box, which provides a secure, climate‑controlled and alarmed receptacle that allows anonymous, legal surrender of unharmed infants up to 60 days old under Kansas law (KSA 38‑2222‑82), will be installed and initially funded by the Via Christi Foundation and local donors at no capital cost to the city.
Battalion Chief Jose Okades and partners described the public‑safety and clinical protocol: an alarm from the box will notify 911 and dispatch the closest EMS, police or fire resource; if a surrendered infant requires treatment, the hospital will triage and law enforcement will open a police protective custody process. Capt. Aaron Moses of the Wichita Police Department said a police protective‑custody investigation would proceed if there were signs of harm.
Via Christi Foundation President David Alexander confirmed the foundation’s commitment to pay device and initial service fees (device cost quoted in staff materials) and partner hospitals (St. Joseph and Wesley) confirmed clinical support. RidgePoint Church and other donors committed additional support for ongoing maintenance. Community advocates, including Cindy Miles of the Wichita Coalition for Child Abuse Prevention and Samantha Oaks (St. Joseph staff), urged approval and emphasized that even a single saved life justifies the program.
Council members asked about sensor redundancy and testing; staff said the device will be tested before service and be connected to the county 911 dispatch with backup power and alarm monitoring. Staff also said other fire stations remain Safe Haven drop‑off points even before the box is activated.
The council approved the lease and service agreement by voice vote; staff will finalize testing and outreach plans and public information on the hotline and other options for families in crisis.
