This morning, Collierville Fire & Rescue officially placed Shelby County’s first Safe Haven Baby Box into service following a dedication and blessing ceremony at Firehouse #6. The box, located at 11670 E. Shelby Drive, is now available as a 24/7 anonymous resource for mothers in crisis.

The ceremony featured remarks from Fire Chief John Selberg and representatives from the Safe Haven Baby Box organization, including Assistant Project Coordinator Mariah Betz and Executive Assistant Jessi Getrost. Fire Department Chaplain and Training Officer, Captain Philip Anderson, led the formal blessing of the unit.

"This box provides no shame, no name, and no blame," said Mariah Betz during the dedication. "It exists to protect babies and support families so that no one has to face a crisis alone."

How the Safe Haven Baby Box Works
The Safe Haven Baby Box is a climate-controlled, technologically advanced unit that allows a mother to safely surrender a newborn (45 days old or younger) with total anonymity, as protected under Tennessee’s Safe Haven Law.

1. Once an infant is placed inside and the door is secured, a silent alarm is triggered inside the station.
2. Collierville Fire personnel respond immediately to provide medical evaluation.
3. The infant is transported to a local hospital. Following the law, the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS) is notified to take custody.

Legal Protections and Support
Under the Tennessee Safe Haven Law, a mother will not be reported to law enforcement if she surrenders an unharmed newborn 45 days old or younger. While all Collierville fire stations are designated Safe Haven facilities where a mother can hand an infant to a staff member, the Baby Box at Firehouse #6 offers a unique option for those who prefer to avoid direct contact.

For those seeking support or information, the following confidential resources are available 24/7:

• Safe Haven Crisis Line: 1-866-99BABY1
• A Secret Safe Place for Newborns TN Helpline: 1-866-699-SAFE 

"We are proud to offer this lifesaving resource to Collierville and the Mid-South," said Chief Selberg.

For more information, please visit shbb.org or secretsafeplacetn.org.