Tennessee Church Supports Women in Crisis with Safe Haven Baby Box

Gateway Baptist Church in Atoka, Tennessee, in partnership with the town’s officials, has installed a Safe Haven Baby Box at the local fire station. This initiative offers pregnant women in crisis a safe, anonymous, and legal way to surrender their newborns within two weeks of birth. The baby box became operational following a ribbon-cutting event in early November, marking a significant step in providing hope and support to women facing desperate situations.

What is Safe Haven?

Safe Haven Baby Boxes are part of a broader Safe Haven Law, which allows mothers to legally and safely surrender unharmed infants to designated facilities without fear of prosecution. These boxes are temperature-controlled and equipped with alarms to alert first responders immediately after a baby is placed inside. The goal is to protect infants while ensuring mothers in distress have a secure, stigma-free option.

Tennessee’s Safe Haven Law, enacted in 2001, has led to the safe surrender of over 100 babies. Currently, the state has 10 Safe Haven Baby Boxes, helping to save lives and provide a compassionate alternative for women unable to care for their newborns.

Community Collaboration

Atoka’s mayor, Barry Akin, and the town’s board of aldermen partnered with Gateway Baptist Church to bring this resource to the community. Jeff Gautney, Gateway’s missions and family pastor, emphasized the importance of providing women with a secure and judgment-free way to ensure their child’s safety. The baby box symbolizes the church and community’s commitment to supporting women in crisis.

Impact and Hope

By combining local government efforts with faith-based outreach, this initiative reflects a unified commitment to protecting the most vulnerable. Gateway Baptist Church and Atoka officials aim to provide a message of care and compassion to women in need, reminding them they are not alone.

For more information, read the original article on The Baptist Paper.