Bruce Faltynski and his wife Shelby were in the process of finalizing the adoption of their older daughter Kaia, when they received a call from the Department of Child Services about a day-old infant Myah found in a Safe Haven Baby Box.
The couple was already foster parents of Kaia and had received foster-to-adopt training, which allowed them to be on a list to be adoptive parents.
Shelby Faltynski stated that she had never heard of Safe Haven Baby Boxes until they received the call about Myah. Indiana’s Safe Haven Law allows for infants up to 30 days old to be anonymously abandoned without criminal penalties as long as they don’t show signs of abuse.
Credit: Myah was dropped off in a box in Indiana similar to the one shown here. (Courtesy Safe Haven Baby Boxes)
There are 126 specially designed Safe Haven Baby Boxes located in seven states, with the majority in Indiana. These boxes are monitored electronically, temperature-controlled and installed in an exterior wall of a designated fire station or hospital. A door on the interior side allows medical professionals to access the baby and provide care.
Since the first Safe Haven Baby Box was installed in Woodburn, Indiana in 2016, no abandoned infants in the state have died. The Faltynskis have expressed their gratitude for the two women who gave birth to their daughters and have nothing but respect for Myah’s mother for her courageous decision.
“And so we have nothing but just respect and admiration, and truly, truly a heart of gratitude for Myah’s mom for her courageous and brave decision. These girls are both an answer to our prayers,” Shelby said.
The Safe Haven Baby Boxes provide a safe and secure way for mothers in crisis to surrender their newborns, and have saved lives in Indiana since their inception. The Faltynskis’ adoption story is a testament to the love and kindness of adoptive parents and the importance of support for mothers in crisis.