Baby boxes have been rolled out across 23 US states by the private organisation Safe Haven Baby Box. Photo: Safe Haven Baby Box, Facebook.
The ACT Government says it has no plans to install “safe haven baby boxes” at fire stations, police stations or medical facilities, despite a newborn being discovered outside a Tuggeranong fire station on Thursday morning (27 November).
The baby boy was found outside the South Tuggeranong ACT Fire & Rescue Station in Conder just after 7:20 am. Authorities say it was an extremely rare incident for Canberra.
Police are now seeking dash-cam footage of a blue SUV believed to have been at the station between 5 am and 7:30 am. Their primary concern, they stress, is finding the baby’s mother and ensuring she receives “urgent medical care”.
The baby was found by a contractor at the ACT Fire & Rescue station in Conder yesterday morning. Photo: Screenshot, Google Maps.
“The baby is in good health and is being cared for at the hospital,” ACT Policing Detective Superintendent Alex Nicholson told media.
“We don’t know how long the baby was there for; however, what I can say is the baby was left in a location where it could be cared for quickly.”
ACT Fire & Rescue superintendent Chris White said the discovery was like nothing his staff had seen before.
“I believe the crew became aware of the child outside when a contractor at the station who was undertaking some work on the station … alerted the crew to the baby,” he said.
“It was a bit of a surprise for our staff down here at South Tuggeranong Fire Station. It’s not a common occurrence, but they are trained in first aid, sought advice from the ACT Ambulance Service and cared for the baby as best they could.”
Police confirmed with Region that such cases are “very rare” and officers could not recall a similar incident.
That rarity, along with Australia’s more “accessible” healthcare system, is a key reason the ACT Government says it is not considering adopting the American-style “safe haven baby boxes”.
These boxes – installed at fire stations and some hospitals across 23 US states – allow parents to anonymously surrender newborns through an exterior hatch. The door locks automatically once a baby is placed inside, and medical staff retrieve the child from inside the building.
Supporters in the US say the system provides a secure alternative in situations where parents feel unable to care for their newborns, mainly in states with more restrictive abortion laws.
The US-style baby boxes are ventilated and lock from the inside once opened. Photo: Safe Haven Baby Box, Facebook.
But the ACT Government says such boxes are unnecessary and inappropriate for Canberra.
“Safe haven boxes are not used in Australia,” an ACT Government spokesperson told Region.
“Internationally, they are most frequently found in jurisdictions with much lower access to healthcare and wellbeing supports for people experiencing pregnancy. There is not an evidence base to support the efficacy of safe haven boxes in assisting families in crisis.
“As the ACT has a wide range of free healthcare and wellbeing supports for people experiencing pregnancy, safe haven boxes would not be an appropriate measure in our context.”
The spokesperson emphasised that the government’s priority is the welfare of the mother.
“We acknowledge the deeply distressing circumstances surrounding a newborn baby being left at a fire station. Our foremost concern is for the wellbeing of the baby’s mother. We understand this must be an incredibly difficult and overwhelming time for her, and we want her to know she is not in trouble.
“We encourage her to reach out to a hospital, health care professional, or police.”
The baby, the spokesperson confirmed, “was left in a safe place where help could be provided quickly”.
“The baby is safe, well and being taken care of. Emergency foster care arrangements will be put in place to ensure that the baby remains safe and cared for until we know more.”
ACT Fire & Rescue superintendent Chris White said no staff have memory of a similar situation in Canberra. Photo: ACT Policing.
ACT Policing is also urging the mother to “attend a hospital, ring an ambulance or contact police”.
“If you think a friend or family member may be the mother, please encourage them to seek medical help as soon as possible,” they said.
Authorities say Canberra already has “multiple free, confidential and non-judgmental support services for anyone experiencing distress during pregnancy or early parenting”.
These include the Child and Family Centres in Tuggeranong, West Belconnen and Gungahlin; the ACT Early Parenting Support line on (02) 5124 1775; Parentline ACT on (02) 6287 3833; Lifeline on 13 11 14; and Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36.
Anyone with dash-cam footage or information about the incident is asked to contact Crime Stoppers and quote reference 8228819. Information can be provided anonymously.
