Baby drop-off boxes, also known as infant incubators, are becoming increasingly popular as a way to prevent newborns from being abandoned in dumpsters. These boxes allow a person to anonymously place an infant into a temperature-controlled and ventilated bassinet, which then alerts emergency responders. The baby is then placed into foster care or for adoption, and the parent is not prosecuted for abandonment.
While these baby boxes have bipartisan support and are seen as a way to save babies’ lives, critics argue that they are a gimmick without scientific support. They worry about issues like establishing informed consent or medical histories. Some experts suggest allowing women to labor and deliver anonymously in hospitals instead.
Most baby boxes in the United States are provided by a nonprofit called Safe Haven Baby Boxes Inc., with 42 babies surrendered since the first one opened in Indiana in 2016. Advocates for safe haven laws, including baby boxes, argue that they provide a safer alternative for women in crisis situations. However, critics say these solutions are limited and heartless, advocating for better support services for parents in crisis situations.
The cost of installing a baby box is about $20,000, with additional costs for maintenance and annual fees. While many baby boxes are funded through private donations and nonprofits, some states are considering using taxpayer money to fund them. Lawmakers in several states have introduced bills to install baby boxes as a way to address infant abandonment.
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