Palm Coast Dedicates Safe Haven Baby Box at Fire Station 25

The Palm Coast City Council, Fire Department, and community partners gathered on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, to dedicate and bless a new Safe Haven Baby Box at Fire Station 25, located at 1250 Belle Terre Parkway. The addition of the Baby Box provides parents in crisis with a safe, secure, and anonymous option to surrender their newborn, ensuring that every infant has the chance for a safe and loving future.

While Florida’s Safe Haven Law already allows parents who cannot care for a newborn to hand the child off at any fire station, hospital, or police station, the parent must do so in person. The Safe Haven Baby Box is unique because it allows for complete anonymity, giving parents a discreet option in a moment of crisis.

The ceremony featured remarks from Monica Kelsey, founder of Safe Haven Baby Box; Bryant Perszyk, Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus; Palm Coast Fire Chief Kyle Berryhill; and Palm Coast City Council Member Charles Gambaro. Father Manny Lopez, Pastor of Santa Maria del Mar Catholic Church in Flagler Beach, delivered a blessing over the new resource, and Kelsey offered final remarks before unlocking the box to officially mark its dedication.

Despite steady rain falling throughout the afternoon, the crowd remained gathered outside Fire Station 25, showing their strong support for this life-saving resource even as they stood, at times, in the downpour.

Chief Berryhill spoke about the significance of the project, saying, “As firefighters, our mission has always been to protect lives. Some days that means rushing into burning buildings, other days it means responding to medical emergencies. Today, it means dedicating a resource that can protect the most vulnerable lives in our community—newborn children.”

Council Member Gambaro reflected on the impact these devices have had in communities nationwide, sharing the story of a baby safely surrendered in Ocala. “Having this box here means that if a moment of crisis comes, there is a safe, secure, and compassionate choice available. It stands as a promise that every child deserves a chance at life and every parent deserves dignity and compassion in their most difficult hour.”

Safe Haven Baby Boxes have been installed at 383 locations nationwide, including 10 in Florida, as part of a growing movement to prevent infant abandonment and protect vulnerable lives. Since 2017, 69 infants have been safely surrendered in Baby Boxes across the country, and the national 24/7 crisis hotline (1-866-99BABY1) has connected parents in need to resources and support.

The Palm Coast Safe Haven Baby Box was made possible through the dedication and support of local advocates, including the Knights of Columbus, Flagler Palm Coast Kiwanis, and community partners who worked tirelessly to bring this resource to Palm Coast. Together, they raised nearly $41,000 to make this resource possible. 

Monitored 24/7 by Palm Coast Fire Department personnel, the Baby Box is equipped with safety and security features that immediately alert first responders when activated, ensuring an infant receives care within minutes.

The installation of this device reflects the City’s commitment to providing compassionate, life-saving options for families in need and ensuring that no parent or child faces a crisis alone.

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