Pennsylvania city notes second safe haven baby box surrender

A healthy infant was surrendered at a safe haven baby box location in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for the second time.

The mother surrendered the baby last month. Her identity remains unknown.

“We had a surrender earlier this month at our Lancaster location. Our hearts are with this mother who selflessly chose to surrender her baby,” the organization Safe Haven Baby Boxes wrote in a Facebook post last week. “We are grateful she trusted our organization to keep her baby safe!”

Social media users were happy to see another safe surrender in Lancaster.

“If the mother ever reads these comments: I’m a birth mom too and I know you’re going through so many emotions right now,” a woman named Jess Ortiz commented on Facebook. “I’m so proud of you for doing what was best for you and your baby. Be strong and heal mama.”

A man named Chris Ostring encouraged women in difficult situations to use the law when appropriate.

“No child is (an) accident but if you cannot take care of a baby PLEASE find someone who will,” he commented on Facebook. “These safe havens drop boxes are saving a life every time (an) unselfish mother surrenders her baby giving it a chance for a loving family who will provide for it and keep it safe.”

Additionally, a user named Tanya Campos-Gracia commented, “Thank God that the baby has a second chance and may God bless her for her selfless sacrifice. Her bravery is to be commended. …and thank you and your organization for providing these surrender boxes.”

Lancaster has a baby box at Lancaster General Hospital, according to Lancaster Online. The south-central Pennsylvania city has nearly 60,000 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Baby boxes typically cost around $20,000 apiece, according to Stateline.

Texas enacted the first safe haven law in 1999, then called the Baby Moses law; former President George W. Bush, the state’s governor at the time, signed it into law. By 2008, every state had followed suit.

The National Safe Haven Alliance operates a call and text hotline for anyone considering a safe surrender; it can be reached at 888-510-BABY (2229).