Citizens look to raise funds for Safe Haven Baby Box in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus residents are working to raise money for the installation of a Safe Haven Baby Box.

Local organizers say the baby box is a safe way for mothers in crisis to surrender their newborns at the local fire station anonymously.

So far, in the state of Mississippi, at least two infants have been surrendered at a Safe Haven Baby Box.

Local resident Earnestine Mobley had an idea to bring one of the boxes to Columbus to help mothers in crisis.

Columbus Fire and Rescue Chief Duane Hughes sees the benefit a Safe Haven Baby Box could have in the community.

“In my career here at the fire department, there have been instances in the past where parents haven’t had an opportunity to surrender the child at a fire station, and they chose to use less-than-desirable means