KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A newborn was surrendered recently to Tennessee's first and only baby box.
The device lets people give up an infant anonymously. It was the first time anyone used the baby box since organizers placed it at Knoxville Fire Department Station 17, located at 4804 Western Avenue in February.
At 12:19 a.m. Saturday, KFD received a "Baby Box Alert" for its baby box at the station. Fire officials said the station crew of three immediately went to the box and found a healthy baby boy inside.
"The child was not injured and was quickly removed from the box for further evaluation. The station crew called for an ambulance to transport the child to the hospital," Asst. Chief Mark Wilbanks said.
The Safe Haven Baby Box was installed in Knoxville on February 17th with funding assistance from the Craig Foundation.
"This Baby Box is the first in Tennessee, and this was the first time it was used since its installation. This resource is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at Fire Station 17 and is entirely anonymous for any parent who needs a place to turn in a time of crisis," Wilbanks said.