Fort Dodge Will Be Home to State’s First Baby Box

Last November the community of Webster County was shocked to learn that the parents of a newborn were under investigation for the death of that child.

Brandon Thoma and Taylor Blaha of Fort Dodge were each charged with first degree murder soon after that investigation began and have each since plead guilty to lesser charges  

Although at that time a Safe Haven Law was in effect in Iowa, local lawmakers and community members felt like maybe that wasn’t enough.

That’s when the idea of a Safe Haven baby box in Fort Dodge began and on October 12th the completed project will open to the public.

The first in the state baby box allows parents who are not able to care for their children to surrender them anonymously and know that they will be put into the right hands.

The baby box has been constructed on the northside of the Fort Dodge Fire Department.

Right now testing is underway on the baby box and it is important to note that hospitals and places like fire departments in other communities are designated Safe Haven’s. They just do not give the option of anonymity to a parent who may see it as their only choice.