An 18-year-old woman from Twin Falls, Idaho, has been arrested after a deceased infant was discovered in a Safe Haven Baby Box at a hospital in Blackfoot. Authorities have charged Angel N. Newberry with failing to report a death to law enforcement and the coroner.
The incident occurred when hospital staff responded to an alarm triggered by the Safe Haven Baby Box, a system designed to allow the anonymous and safe surrender of infants. Upon investigation, hospital personnel found the infant wrapped in a blanket, with the placenta still attached, and determined that the baby had been deceased for some time before being placed in the box.
Idaho’s Safe Haven law permits parents to legally and anonymously surrender unharmed infants under the age of 30 days without facing legal repercussions. However, the law does not extend protections in cases where the infant is already deceased. Safe Haven Baby Boxes, implemented to provide a secure option for parents in crisis, have been credited with saving dozens of lives since their inception, but this incident highlights the need for continued education about the proper use of the program.
Newberry is currently being held in the Bingham County Jail as the investigation continues. Authorities have suggested that additional charges may be forthcoming depending on the outcome of their inquiries.
This tragedy underscores the importance of raising awareness about the Safe Haven law and the options available to parents unable to care for their newborns. The system has been effective in preventing unsafe abandonments, but proper usage is crucial to achieving its life-saving goals.