VIDEO: The Union Township Fire Department is closing its Safe Haven Baby Box due to "burdensome" and "outdated red tape" from the Ohio Department of Health, Union Township officials said in a press release.
Under Ohio's Safe Haven Law, a baby box, also known as a newborn safety incubator, allows parents to anonymously surrender a newborn without facing criminal charges.
According to the Ohio Department of Health, any location that has an infant safety incubator is required to have an authorized person on-duty and in the building 24/7.
The Union Township Fire Department said since the baby box was installed at fire station 50 in May of 2022 it has been able to meet this requirement by using employees who were already restricted to "light duty" or through "floating personnel assignments." But according to the Township, this is no longer feasible, and there needs to be a more long-term solution.