In 2015, Safe Haven Baby Boxes was founded as a safe, anonymous way to surrender newborns to authorities. Dozens of infants have been rescued since 2017. An Idaho teen, however, was recently charged after a newborn baby was found dead in a Safe Haven box.
A baby girl was surrendered in October at Grove Creek Medical Center in Blackfoot, Idaho. Tragically, the newborn was discovered to have already been dead for some time before she was placed in the Safe Haven Box. And now, 18-year-old Angel N. Newberry faces a serious charge connected to the incident.
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The Idaho teen, Angel N. Newberry, has been charged with failing to report a death.
On November 22, the Blackfoot Police Department announced via Facebook that an arrest was made after discovering a dead newborn in the Safe Haven Baby Box. Newberry, a Twin Falls resident, was charged with failing to report a death to law enforcement officials and the coroner, which is a felony. She was booked into Bingham County Jail.
If convicted, Newberry faces up to 10 years in prison or a $50,0000 fine, per People.
At the time of the news release, the Blackfoot Police Department could not reveal many details.
“Unfortunately, the placement of a harmed or deceased infant is not protected under this system or Idaho law,” the news release noted. “Due to the sensitive nature of the ongoing investigation and the potential for further criminal charges, we are limited in the information we can provide.”
Additionally, the police department expressed appreciation for the “community’s support and understanding, the dedication of Grove Creek Medical’s staff, the Bingham County Prosecutors Office, and the collaboration with the Twin Falls Police Department.”
It concluded, “The Blackfoot Police Department will release no further information or details surrounding this case at this time.”
Safe Haven Baby Boxes issued a statement after the baby was found dead in the box.
On October 28, Safe Haven Baby Boxes addressed the Idaho death in a news release shared on Facebook.
“It is with heavy hearts we share the tragic news that a deceased infant was placed in our Idaho Safe Haven Baby Box,” the statement began. “Grove Creek Medical Center staff responded immediately to the alarm, indicating a baby was in the box. The medical team removed the infant from the bassinet within a minute. Upon removal, they quickly realized that the infant had passed away long before being placed in the baby box.”
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In the news release, the founder shared that the baby's umbilical cord and placenta were still attached.
Since 2017, 52 infants have been safely surrendered via the boxes.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes noted that 52 infants have been “lovingly surrendered at our baby box locations” since 2017. They have all been “quickly adopted by families who have eagerly awaited the chance to adopt an infant.”
“When utilized, the program saves lives and protects women in crisis,” the news release continued. “However, in any situation where the Safe Haven Law is violated, our organization will work diligently with law enforcement for justice for the infant who is illegally abandoned.”
