Safe Haven Baby Box Coming to Central Wisconsin

CENTRAL WISCONSIN (WFHR / WIRI / WXCO) – A Safe Haven Baby Box (SHBB) is likely coming to central Wisconsin after discussion and meetings took place throughout the summer.

Only seven locations in Wisconsin have a SHBB, with the closest two located in Reedsburg and Green Bay. The rest are in the southern part of the state, around Milwaukee.

How this effort started

Hearing tragic accounts of babies being abandoned in a field and a Walmart garbage can spurred a central Wisconsin resident to action. Linda Casper, a resident of Grand Rapids, approached Wisconsin Rapids City Leaders to discuss the possibility of installing a Safe Haven Baby Box in central Wisconsin.

Casper brought the idea to Alderperson Jeff Penzkover in the spring of 2025. He introduced her to Sue Smith who is the Wood County Health Officer and Director of the Wood County Health Department. Smith says the idea of installing a SHBB aligns with her own beliefs. Smith and Casper interviewed with James J. Malouf on an episode of The Rapids Report.

“I recall a sad situation in Wood County around 2019 with a baby being found.” Smith said. “If this saves one baby, it is going to be worth the effort.”

Steps forward

The team working to forward this effort now includes Linda Casper, Jeff Penzkover, Sue Smith and Wood County Board Supervisor John Hokamp. Hokamp represents District 13 which includes wards in Wisconsin Rapids and Grand Rapids. Casper says they are determined to bring a SHBB to the central region in Wisconsin. The team has been instrumental in helping Casper navigate the process. She says the mayor and fire chief have also been helpful.

“It’s easy to work with them,” says Casper. “They hear, they listen to us and I find that really refreshing.”

Mayor Matt Zacher spoke with Malouf on a different episode of The Rapids Report. The mayor said that no matter the decision, he’ll support it, regardless of his beliefs.

“There are good sides to everything, bad sides to everything, the good sides will outweigh,” said Zacher. “Hopefully it’s never used, (but) we’ll make sure it’s there to protect the babies lives that need it.”

Where the effort is now

Meetings and conversations throughout the spring and summer have brought the proposal as far as the Finance and Property Committee. They met on Tuesday this week to discuss the topic.

The report of the Finance and Property Committee from September 9th states, “In closed session, the Committee discussed negotiation and strategy regarding a Pre-Negotiation Agreement and a Lease and Service Agreement with Safe Haven Baby Boxes, Inc. for installation of a Safe Haven Baby Box at the Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department. No action was taken on this item.”

This report will be presented to the Common Council at their meeting on September 16, 2025.

“Once the contract is signed then we can do fundraising and take it from there,” said Casper.

Casper says she hopes the contract will be signed at least by October if it doesn’t happen in September. Most of the hoops have now been hurdled and the plan is almost across the finish line. Regardless of what the Wisconsin Rapids City Council decides, Casper and her team aren’t giving up on the idea of bringing a SHBB to central Wisconsin.

“If it fails here in Wisconsin Rapids, we’re going to try for Stevens Point, or Marshfield, or Wausau.” Casper said.

Safe Haven Baby Box

The organization was founded by Monica Kelsey. She was abandoned at a hospital just two hours after her birth in the early 1970s. Her difficult start in life, along with her experience in the military, and working as an emergency responder transformed into a mission to save lives and help mothers in crisis.

A Safe Haven Baby Box is designed with safety features to protect the infant and provide anonymity for the parent. They are installed on the outside wall of a fire station, hospital, or other approved locations. Once the door is opened, a silent alarm sounds at a monitoring station. The baby is placed inside a bassinet in the temperature controlled box and another alarm will sound. When the door is closed it cannot be reopened from the outside for the protection of the baby.

There is an interior door to allow medical personnel access to the infant. They will do a medical assessment and transport the baby to the hospital for further assessment. From there Human Services Child Protection will find foster care for the short term and work with Social Services for the adoption process. 

What about the surrendering parent?

Inside the SHBB is an orange bag with local resources and information for the surrendering parent. Along with local information, it includes the national crisis line (1-866-99BABY) where they can talk with a real person. It also includes the state’s safe haven law information, medical and after birth care information, and a registry that allows the parent to submit medical history or family history for the infant.

Safe Haven or Newborn Relinquishment laws in Wisconsin require that the newborn infant be unharmed and under 72 hours old. If the parent changes their mind after surrendering their baby, there are steps that can be taken through the county and the court.