Newborn surrendered by Ohio parents was taken in under 60 seconds — the NGO founder’s message stunned moms everywhere
The pain of giving up one's baby is immeasurable. Often, it is met with criticism and shame. However, one woman believes otherwise. The CEO and founder of Safe Haven Baby Boxes, Monica Kelsey, has been a beacon of hope for mothers who deal with the challenge of giving away their babies by legally surrendering them into safe care. Kelsey's mission of ensuring newborn safety and the surveillance involved during transportation through baby boxes has won hearts online. Sharing on Facebook, a recent case of a baby being surrendered legally within 60 seconds by a couple from Ohio, Kelsey left an important message that stunned mothers everywhere, as reported by PEOPLE on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.
Monica Kelsey took to her Facebook page to share the news of a baby being legally surrendered through a Baby Box at the Delhi Township Fire Department within 60 seconds. She revealed in the video that another baby was surrendered and that firefighters followed the transportation of the infant until it reached the nearest medical facility for examination. “They did exactly what they were trained to do. They did it flawlessly,” she lauded her team. Kelsey's baby box is more than just a haven for transporting babies; it also ensures parents remain anonymous and stress-free about their newborn's safety. The process is simple.
According to the founder, the newborn is placed in a temperature-controlled box, where a silent alarm is triggered for the firefighters who monitor the transportation of the baby. Each box is monitored throughout the journey, where first responders are notified using the alarms. The firefighters are given adequate training to provide medical assistance.
The newborn who was transported has been handed over to child services and is expected to find a new home and a permanent family soon. Calling it a legal and right choice, Kelsey remarked, "The parent makes this choice. Nobody else is making this choice for them. And this is a safe and legal option for a parent in crisis." Kelsey also thanked the parents for trusting her team and the firefighters with their newborn. "Your baby was loved by the firefighters who took this baby from the box, and they handled this with ease," she said.
But what struck a chord with new moms who came across Kelsey's video was her belief in letting go of shame when it comes to giving away one's child. She also noted that any parent can reach out to her for medical counseling, assuring that care does not end once the infant is surrendered. "You also have to remember that there’s a mother on the other side that is probably having the worst day of her life," Kelsey remarked. She believed that it can be overwhelming for parents to provide a safe life for their infant; hence, handing over a baby must be viewed as a choice taken out of safety.
Soon after Kelsey posted the video, moms across the internet sent their emotional gratitude for her service. @Pamela Bailey wrote, "Monica, I love how you speak to the mom. God bless her, the little one, the parents to be, and Safe Haven Baby Boxes." @Blanca Schut-van Lohuizen expressed, "I love it that you still thank the biological mother, and possibly father, after the safe surrender of the baby. It speaks of care and compassion," @Alizka Kovacs Killen mentioned, "Wonderful that the mother loved the baby enough to do the right thing! God bless that mother! I'm sure it was hard." @Tammy Motto Brinser praised, "You save so many lives! I'm so glad you are you, and you do what you do!"
For more such content, follow Safe Haven Baby Boxes on Facebook.
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