From the outside, the boxes don't look like much.
They're installed inside recesses that are built into the exterior walls of hospitals, fire stations or other public-safety buildings.
When you open them, a climate controlled, electronically monitored bassinet can be found.
They're 'baby boxes', where mothers can safely surrender their newborns.
Once an infant is placed in the box and the door is shut, the box will immediately be locked from the outside, and a silent alarm will notify staff that a baby has been surrendered. The infant is attended to within five minutes.
Across the US, these baby boxes are readily used by mothers who are struggling for a variety of reasons. Some are scared. Some feel they can't care for their infant. Others are dealing with addiction, socioeconomic issues, or domestic violence. Some were unable to access abortion services or didn't wish to go down that path.
But they all share one thing in common — they want to give their infant a better and safer life.
Watch: How the baby box works. Post continues below.
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