Safe Haven Baby Box blessed in Russellville

RUSSELLVILLE, Ky. – A Safe Haven Baby Box is now available at the Russellville Fire Department, as it was blessed Tuesday afternoon.

The box has been in the works for a while now, as conversations between Mayor Mark Stratton and the fire chief have been going on. Chief Scot Celsor says this is a great thing to have in the community:

“I’m proud to be part of our community that chooses life, safety and dignity… and we thank our local leaders, first responders and especially the advocates and donors who made this possible. I’m sad that there’s a need for these boxes, but I’m thankful that somebody had enough sense to create this,” he says.

Representative Nancy Tate, who spoke on behalf of Representative Jason Petrie and Senator Mike Wilson (who were both unable to attend), says she became passionate about baby boxes after she found out about an incident in Bowling Green that happened in 2019.

“Fortunately, the baby was found before it was exposed to negative weather conditions. But in 2019, my constituents called me and said ‘Nancy, this falls within your wheelhouse. Can you please figure out how we can make this happen?’ I called Monica Kelsey and I was shocked that she answered the phone because how many times do you get the opportunity to meet somebody and talk to somebody of just such statute? I was overwhelmed and I said Monica, please tell me everything that I need to know about the Safe Haven Baby Boxes… and so she did, then I filed House Bill 155 in 2021. My goal is to have 155 boxes, one in each of our 120 counties… and so you all, Russellville, is actually adding to that story… and you will get us to the point where we will have our 155 and beyond,” Representative Tate says.

The Russellville Police Department is on board with this as well. Even though they hope it doesn’t get much use, it’s a resource for the community if they choose to use it.

“If that decision is made and this helps the decision be easier for the child to get the care and love and whatever it needs, it’s worth all the trouble that goes into it, and we’ll gladly do it again,” Chief Jeff Sanford says.

The baby box is located at the Russellville Fire Department’s station at 620 North Main Street in Russellville.