Idaho Hospital to Install Safe Haven Baby Box Near Oregon Border
An Idaho hospital near the Oregon border will install a Safe Haven Baby Box to safely care for newborns surrendered anonymously by parents in crisis.
WEISER, ID — Weiser Memorial Hospital, a critical-access hospital near the Oregon border, announced it will install a Safe Haven Baby Box in its emergency department to provide a secure, anonymous option for parents in crisis to surrender newborns they cannot care for.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes are temperature-controlled devices with alert systems that notify staff so surrendered infants can be promptly cared for. The installation—fully funded by donors, staff, and hospital leadership—will make this the third such box in Idaho and the only one within more than 300 miles of the Oregon border. ED Tech Karinda Palmer, who spearheaded the effort, said, “We hope no mother ever finds herself in a situation where she needs to use this resource, but if she does, we want to ensure that the baby is safe and well cared for.” Palmer brought the idea to ED Manager Emily MacKenzie, who has actively supported the project by promoting awareness and helping raise funds for the installation.
Officials say the baby box provides a compassionate alternative for families experiencing hardship while ensuring the safety and well-being of newborns. Advocates in the region, where abortion services are available just across the border in Oregon, say the resource fills a critical gap.
Previously, the UOJ reported that https://uoj.news/news/86015-late-term-abortions-may-be-hidden-in-minnesota-data-gaps
