Baby Boxes in Indiana
Baby boxes offer birth mothers a way to safely and anonymously surrender their newborns at hospitals or designated community stations without facing legal penalties. These boxes have become increasingly common in recent years, especially throughout Indiana.
While a baby box might seem like an immediate solution, it’s important not to feel pressured into making a quick decision. Adoption is another option that allows you to remain anonymous while still choosing the best future for your baby.
Before seeking a baby box in Indiana, consider calling 1-800-ADOPTION to learn more about your options today.
Indiana Safe Haven Law
According to Indiana Safe Haven Law, you can leave your baby in a baby box anonymously, and not worry about prosecution or being arrested. As long as the baby is unharmed, you are not required to supply any information. However, Indiana Department of Child Services encourages you to include information relevant to the baby’s:
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Health
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Date of birth
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Race/Ethnicity
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Parental medical history
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Anything else useful to a potential caregiver
Once all examinations are done to determine the state of your child’s health, the Indiana Department of Child Services will place the baby in custody either through Child Protective Services or with an officially Licensed Child Placing Agency.
Where to Find a Baby Drop-Off Box Near Me
Indiana currently has 123 baby boxes, by far the most of any state. Kentucky has the second most, with only 35 to compare. The likelihood of their being a safe haven baby box near you is extremely high.
Bloomington
Monroe Fire Protection District Station #25
5081 N Old State Rd. 37
Bloomington, IN 47408
Evansville
310 N. 4th Ave
Evansville, IN 47710
Fort Wayne
702 Van Buren St.
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Gary
Gary Fire Department Engine Company #5
4959 Pennsylvania St.
Gary, IN 46409
Indianapolis
Wayne Township Fire Department
5401 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46241
If these locations are not convenient for you, click here to view a map of baby boxes in your area.
Why Adoption is a Better Choice for Your Baby [5 Reasons]
Before asking yourself, is there a safe haven baby box near me in Indiana? Consider choosing adoption for your child, as it affords you everything that a baby box does and more:
1: All the benefits you get from a baby box you get with adoption
It is understandable why you would be intrigued with the idea of a baby box amid a stressful pregnancy. While there are numerous benefits to choosing a baby box, the reality is: that all of the same can be said during an adoption.
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It is free: the entirety of your adoption is free of charge, and some birth mothers even come across some financial assistance throughout their pregnancy.
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It is anonymous: while it might pose some complications once it comes time to create an adoption plan, you have the right to remain anonymous throughout your adoption process.
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It is convenient: your adoption can start at any time before, during, or after your pregnancy. If you decide to move forward after you give birth, the exact same process is offered to you, just in an expedited fashion.
Before deciding to leave your baby in a baby box, talk to a professional to make sure you know everything about how adoption can help you.
2: You have complete control over every aspect
The biggest difference for you when it comes to choosing adoption instead of a baby box revolves around how much control you have during and after your adoption.
You have control over every aspect of the adoption process, including:
- Picking the adoptive family: American Adoptions has over 300 unique couples waiting to complete their family. You will pick which couples match your needs, and screen them to make sure it is the right fit for you and your child.
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Creating a hospital plan: with the help of your adoption specialist, you will create a custom hospital plan, where you will choose everything about your hospital stay, including who is in the delivery room and how long you hold your baby. If you already had your baby, this is a step you will skip.
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Building a post-placement relationship: with open adoption, “giving up” your baby for adoption is not a goodbye, but instead the start of a new relationship. Whatever you envision that relationship is, the adoption will not be complete without a family who meets your needs.
There are many other aspects of your adoption journey that you will custom-curate for an ideal process.
3: You can choose a brighter future for your child
Mothers decide to adopt differently; most commonly though is the desire to choose a better future for their child, one better than they could provide themselves. Adopted children are more likely to experience:
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Love
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Connection
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Safety
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Opportunity
Every adoptive family waiting to adopt with American Adoptions has completed a home study, ensuring the safety of their home and motivations to adopt.
4: Financial assistance for your adoption
Adoption will never cost you, as a birth mother, a dime. At American Adoptions, we commonly see birth mothers receive financial assistance for their:
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Adoption specialists/counselors
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Hospital stay
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Travel (if necessary)
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Adoption-related medical charges.
You do not deserve to struggle with everyday expenses and a lack of support during your adoption journey. Instead, you can work with an agency that helps with rent and bills and provides you with your guide for each step.
5: Open adoption is not goodbye
No longer are the days of closed adoption, where birth mothers would say goodbye to their baby once their adoption was finalized. The new adoption norm is open adoption; much different from the “closed adoption” that was the standard for many years in the United States. Now, with open adoption, “giving up” your baby for adoption is not goodbye.
With the assistance of your adoption specialist, you will create a post-placement plan that will outline the relationship you hope to have with your child once the adoption is final. We commonly see adoption plans that include:
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Receiving photos and videos of their child
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Getting social media updates from the adoptive family
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Scheduling phone calls and video chats
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Planning in-person meetings
Using a Safe Haven baby box in Indiana instead of adoption not only means you sacrifice control, but it also means you will likely never see your child again. Adoption allows you to choose the plan that works best for you.
For more information on adoption in Indiana, reach out to us today.
Disclaimer
Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. American Adoptions provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.
