A newborn has been surrendered at the Safe Haven Baby Box at Racine Fire Station 4 on Washington Avenue. It is the second surrender at that station.
Firefighter paramedic Marco Ostricki was present for both surrenders. The first at Station 4, about a year ago, was the first baby box surrender in Wisconsin.
The boxes allow a parent to surrender an unharmed newborn anonymously, with no legal consequences, within 30 days of birth. Placing a baby in the temperature-controlled box sounds an alert for responders. The child is then checked medically, taken to a hospital, and the adoption process begins.
Division Chief Joshua Weber said staff handled the case with care and compassion, and reminded parents in crisis that help and resources are available.
Wisconsin has eight Safe Haven Baby Boxes, including five in the southeast part of the state. The Safe Haven Crisis Line can be reached by calling or texting 1-866-99BABY1.
