June 3, 2025 | Beyond the Box
From Bill to Baby Box: A Legislative Journey with Casey Cox
When Monica Kelsey and former Indiana State Representative Casey Cox first met in 2014, they could never have imagined the impact their collaboration would have on hundreds of families across America. Their conversation on the "Beyond the Box" podcast reveals the extraordinary journey of turning a revolutionary concept into a life-saving movement that has now spread to 22 states.
The story begins with a simple but profound idea. After returning from South Africa, Kelsey approached Cox with a concept that could potentially save the lives of abandoned babies in Indiana. At the time, approximately two infants were being found dead in Indiana annually due to abandonment. Traditional safe haven laws existed, but they required mothers to physically hand their babies to another person – a requirement that proved too intimidating for many women in crisis.
What made the baby box concept revolutionary was its anonymity. These temperature-controlled boxes, installed at fire stations and hospitals, allow mothers to surrender their newborns safely and completely anonymously. The moment a baby is placed inside, an alarm notifies first responders who can retrieve the infant within minutes. This critical innovation addressed the gap in existing safe haven laws by removing the face-to-face interaction that prevented many desperate mothers from utilizing these services.
The legislative journey was far from smooth. House Bill 1016, authored by Representative Cox, initially passed unanimously through the Indiana House with bipartisan support. However, the Senate dramatically altered the bill, ultimately requiring the Indiana Department of Health to develop safety protocols for baby boxes. When the Department eventually responded that no such protocols could be developed safely, many would have abandoned the effort. Instead, Kelsey took an extraordinary risk – she moved forward with installing the first baby boxes in Woodburn, Indiana, without state approval.
This bold move sparked controversy, with the Department of Child Services attempting to shut down the boxes, claiming they were illegal. Yet Kelsey persisted, refusing to back down even when her own attorney advised caution. Her conviction was ultimately vindicated when additional legislation was passed, and more importantly, when babies began to be safely surrendered in the boxes. To date, 59 babies have been saved through baby boxes, with an additional 229 through safe haven handoffs – numbers that far exceeded anyone's expectations when the journey began.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this story is how it demonstrates the power of persistence in public service. As Cox reflects in the conversation, many people enter politics imagining they'll make sweeping changes, only to discover how difficult creating meaningful change can be. The Safe Haven Baby Box journey illustrates that sometimes the most significant impacts come from refusing to give up when confronted with obstacles, staying focused on the ultimate goal – in this case, saving lives.
The ripple effects extend far beyond the babies directly saved. The entire conversation between Kelsey and Cox is infused with the recognition that each baby saved represents generations of lives that will now exist, each with their own families and futures. Furthermore, the education and awareness surrounding safe haven laws has dramatically increased, particularly in Indiana, where first responders and schools now have unprecedented knowledge about these life-saving options.
For those inspired by this story, the message is clear: meaningful change often requires taking risks and persisting through opposition, especially when you believe deeply in the cause. As Kelsey puts it simply but powerfully, "The right thing to do is always the right thing to do." Sometimes, doing the right thing means being willing to stand alone, trusting that if your cause is just, others will eventually join you on the journey.
Want to Help Write the Next Story?
You can help change the ending for the next baby in crisis. Whether it’s supporting a new Baby Box, sharing the Safe Haven hotline, or giving monthly, your involvement with Safe Haven Baby Boxes changes lives.
Because every life deserves a chance.
Because every child deserves a story of hope.
Support Safe Haven Baby Boxes
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
Thank you for being a vital part of our Safe Haven family. Your passion and support make all the difference.