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WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI (WSAU-WAOW) – A heartbreaking case from 6 years ago sparked conversations about bringing the first Safe Haven Baby Box to north central Wisconsin. “If we could prevent one situation you know like what happened in Milladore, this is worth it,” says Shawn Becker, Wood County Sheriff.
In 2019, just 30 minutes away from Wisconsin Rapids, investigators found a newborn inside a plastic bag in the back of a vehicle. The child’s 23-year-old mother was later convicted of killing the baby just hours after giving birth. “And that was probably one of the biggest reasons why our department was in favor of you know looking into having this opportunity in our community,” says Becker.
The Safe Haven Baby Box program aims to prevent illegal abandonment of newborns – offering parents a way to safely and anonymously surrender a baby with no questions asked.
The boxes are temperature-controlled, ventilated and secured — allowing first responders to be notified immediately once a baby is placed inside. The City of Wisconsin Rapids is partnering with the Safe Haven Baby Box Company and St. Peter & Paul Church to bring the life-saving resource to the community.
“This started was with you know our Health department and then bringing a lot of people to the table…not just the fire department but law enforcement. We got to set and look at protocols,” says Becker.
The goal is to raise $30,000 to purchase and install the baby box at one of the fire stations in Wisconsin Rapids.
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