September 23rd, 2025
Dignity in Death: A Coroner's Mission to Honor Abandoned Babies
In a moving episode of "Beyond the Box," host Monica Kelsey sat down with Alfarina "Alfie" McGinty, the Marion County Coroner in Indianapolis, Indiana. Their conversation delved into the heart-wrenching world of infant death investigations and the critical importance of Safe Haven laws in preventing tragic abandonments.
With 28 years of experience and approximately 1,600 autopsies conducted annually in her office, Alfie brings a wealth of knowledge and compassion to her role. What stands out most is her unwavering commitment to providing dignity to the deceased, particularly the most vulnerable – infants and children who never had a chance to defend themselves.
The conversation centered heavily on Baby Amelia, whose tiny footprint became the logo for Safe Haven Baby Boxes. Discovered in December 2014, Amelia had been the only baby found deceased from abandonment in Indiana until recently. The coroner's office became the only place where this abandoned infant received love and dignity, highlighting the profound responsibility these professionals carry in honoring the lives of those who pass through their care.
Alfie explained the meticulous process of infant death investigations, which can take up to 12 weeks to complete. These cases often present unique challenges – determining whether a baby was born alive or was a stillborn fetus, examining for potential trauma, and conducting specialized tests to understand what happened. Despite thorough investigation, many infant death cases result in "undetermined" findings due to insufficient information, representing about 7-10% of all cases her office handles.
Perhaps most powerful was the discussion about a recent infant abandonment case in Indianapolis. The female infant, estimated to be less than 30 weeks gestation, showed no signs of blunt force trauma. While the investigation continues, both women emphasized the importance of giving this baby dignity, a name, and a proper burial through their partnership with the organization "He Knows Your Name."
The conversation highlighted the critical need for community education about Safe Haven laws. Recent legislative changes in Indiana have extended the age limit for legal surrender from 30 to 60 days, responding to a shocking 70% increase in abuse cases involving infants between 30-60 days old. This change ensures parents have legal options even for babies who spend extended time in the NICU after birth.
Both women discussed the potential gap in resources for parents struggling with older children, particularly toddlers who may be more challenging to care for than newborns. While Safe Haven laws provide a critical safety net for newborns, there remains a need for additional support systems for parents experiencing crisis with older children to prevent neglect and abuse.
The interview also raised important questions about maternal health and safety, including concerns about self-administered abortion medications late in pregnancy without medical supervision, potentially putting both mother and baby at serious risk.
Throughout the conversation, the message remained clear – education saves lives. By raising awareness about Safe Haven laws and the baby boxes that allow anonymous, safe surrender, more parents in crisis might choose this option rather than abandonment. As Alfie eloquently stated, "These babies cannot do anything to defend themselves," making it our collective responsibility to protect them through education, resources, and compassionate options for parents in crisis.
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