Indiana's 'Baby Box' Bill May Allow Anonymous Surrender of Newborns

The state of Indiana is contemplating passing a law that would allow "baby boxes" in certain places so newborn infants may be safely surrendered by their parents without facing prosecution.

The large metal boxes include insulation that would act as an incubator for a newborn child. New legislation would allow the baby boxes to be made available at churches, hospitals, and nonprofit organizations so mothers could surrender their newborns anonymously without endangering the child's life.

Republican state Rep. Casey Cox, who is sponsoring the bill, told the Associated Press that the legislation is similar to "safe haven" laws that exist in all 50 states at the District of Colombia that allow parents to surrender their newborns without legal repercussion.

The "baby box" bill has already passed the House and will be put up for a Senate vote this week.

Indiana's "Safe Haven" law states that as long as a baby isn't injured, it may be given up to hospitals, fire stations or police stations in Indiana without the parents suffering prosecution.

"A parent, family member, friend, minister or priest, social worker or any responsible adult may give up custody of a baby less than 30 days old to a hospital emergency room, fire station or police station in Indiana," the law states, as reported on the Indiana Department of Child Services website.

"As long as there are no signs of intentional abuse on the baby, no information is required of the person leaving the baby. Any knowledge of the date of birth, race, parent medical history, child's health or anything that would be useful to the child's caregiver would be greatly appreciated," the law adds.