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Infant Safely Surrendered via Baby Box in Mississippi
Collins, MS, January 15, 2025 — In late December 2024, an infant was safely and anonymously surrendered through a Baby Box located at Covington County Hospital in Collins, Mississippi, exemplifying the success of the Safe Haven Baby Box Law and the infrastructure designed to support it. This marks another instance where the law and this resource have worked seamlessly to protect the well-being of vulnerable children and provide a secure option for parents in crisis.
Thanks to Mississippi’s Safe Haven Baby Box Law, which allows parents to surrender their newborns without fear of legal repercussions, this baby is now in the care of professionals who will ensure their safety and well-being. The Baby Box, installed as part of ongoing efforts to enhance child safety, offers an anonymous and secure way for parents to surrender their newborns if they are unable to care for them.
The installation and utilization of these baby boxes are a testament to the collaborative efforts of lawmakers and advocacy groups. Special thanks are due to the Mississippi lawmakers who championed this life-saving legislation and to the Covington County Republican Women whose dedication and support helped make the Baby Box a reality.
Dianne Pickering, Mississippi Federation of Republican Women Third Congressional District Director and Vice-President of Covington County Republican Women stated, “First & most important, we give thanks to the mother who chose life for her baby! We cover her in our prayers. Covington County Republican Women are grateful to Covington County Hospital CEO, Gregg Gibbes & the CCH Board for their willingness to become a Safe Haven Baby Box location. What a blessing! Thank you to all those who contributed monetarily! I think we also must recognize the leadership for the passage of House Bill 1318 (SHBB Law), which enabled us to have this life-saving resource in our community: Caitlyn Kelly, Lesley Davis, MS Advocacy Group CEO; Speaker of the House, Philip Gunn; Representative Jill Ford, Representative Angela Cockerham, & Senator Josh Harkins. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”
Covington County Hospital CEO, Gregg Gibbes said, “The plan worked. Our leaders recognized that we needed the Safe-Haven Baby Box Law, so they passed the law. We rallied our community for support in paying for the new Baby Box and they stepped up. And when a distressed mother in our community needed it, they used it. And our staff did a great job of caring for the newborn child.”
The Safe Haven Laws and its associated resources serve as a critical safety net, offering distressed parents a compassionate and responsible alternative. The Safe Haven Baby Box Law allows parents to surrender infants anonymously and legally to designated locations, such as hospitals, fire stations, and Baby Boxes, without facing prosecution. This ensures the child’s safety and provides parents with an alternative in times of crisis. For more information visit
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