NEWPORT, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) — Cocke County commissioners have unanimously approved a plan to bring a Safe Haven Baby Box to the county, marking a significant step toward providing an additional option for parents in crisis.
The box will be installed at the Cocke County Fire Department station located at the county fairgrounds, pending successful fundraising efforts.
The initiative is being led by Newport Pediatrics, the county’s only pediatric clinic. Practice Administrator Shannon Barnes said she and care coordinator Jessie Smith began pursuing the project about a year and a half ago after learning about similar programs in other communities.
How the Baby Box Works
According to Safe Haven Baby Boxes, the units are built into the exterior wall of fire stations or hospitals that are staffed around the clock. When a newborn is placed inside, the exterior door automatically locks and an alarm immediately notifies emergency responders.
Medical personnel then retrieve the infant from the climate-controlled compartment and transport the child to a hospital for evaluation.
Under Tennessee’s Safe Haven law, parents can legally and anonymously surrender a newborn during the first weeks of life. After medical evaluation, the child is placed in the care of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services.
“It’s the same thing as putting an AED in your school,” Barnes told commissioners. “This is just one more way that we can try to ensure the safety and livelihood of our babies in our community.”
Fundraising Effort Begins
Barnes told county leaders that the baby box itself costs approximately $16,000. Installation is expected to add another $5,000 to $7,000, along with annual maintenance fees.
As a result, organizers have set a fundraising goal between $25,000 and $30,000.
Before fundraising could begin, a formal agreement between Cocke County and Safe Haven Baby Boxes was required. Barnes said organizers wanted to secure an approved location before seeking donations, especially as many residents continue recovering from recent flooding impacts.
With county approval now in place, Newport Pediatrics plans to begin contacting community partners and donors next week.
The timeline for installation will depend on how quickly the necessary funding can be raised.
Supporters say the project will provide a safe, anonymous option for parents while helping protect the lives of vulnerable newborns throughout Cocke County.
