Safe Haven Baby Box Near Me in Texas

Texas law provides a safe, anonymous way to protect a child when you are in a situation where you cannot provide care. Taking this step provides the baby with immediate medical attention and a secure environment while your privacy remains protected.

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This guide walks through how safe haven baby boxes work in Texas, the specific rules of the Baby Moses Law, and how a private adoption plan can offer a different path forward.

What Is a Safe Haven Baby Box?

A safe haven baby box is a secure, temperature-controlled space built into the exterior wall of a fire station or hospital. These boxes are available for anyone who feels that a face-to-face interaction is not a safe or viable option during an extreme crisis.

The design is centered on privacy and the baby's comfort. You pull the handle to open the outer door and place the infant in a medical-grade bassinet. The door locks automatically as soon as you close it.

A silent alarm inside the station alerts the medical team that a baby has been placed in their care so they can provide attention within minutes.

Safe Haven Laws in Texas

Texas protections fall under the Texas Family Code, Chapter 262, Subchapter D, often called the Baby Moses Law. This law works like a community safety net for those who are in a crisis and unable to care for a newborn.

You can receive legal protection by following three specific steps. First, the infant must be unharmed, as the law is intended for babies who have not been abused. Second, you must act within the 60-day window.

Texas provides a longer timeframe than most states, covering infants up to 60 days old. Finally, you must use a designated provider, which includes any hospital, fire station, or EMS station in the state.

How Do Safe Haven Baby Boxes Work?

The process is fast and secure. You pull the handle on the exterior door, and inside, a ventilated bassinet is ready for the infant. Once you close the door, the mechanism locks and triggers a silent alarm for the on-site crew.

The team retrieves the baby from the inside of the building and performs a medical check-up to make sure the child is healthy and safe. This process is standard for any fire station or hospital acting as a safe haven.

What Does a Safe Haven Baby Box Look Like?

From the outside, it looks like a small, secure hatch or door on the side of a building. You will usually find these near a main entrance, marked with the safe haven baby box logo. The interior is padded and kept at a stable temperature to keep the baby comfortable the moment the door is closed.

Some safe haven boxes are in shielded areas for your privacy, like side alleys or indoor hallways. Typically buildings where this is the case post signs leading to the box, either in plain language or with the safe haven baby box logo on a yellow background.

What Happens After I Use a Safe Haven Baby Box in Texas?

The state of Texas steps in to provide for the baby's care right away. After a medical check-up, the baby enters the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) foster care system.

Choosing to use a box is a permanent decision. Because the process is anonymous, you are choosing to step away from your connection to the child at that moment.

You do not have a say in which family eventually adopts the child, and you will not receive updates on how they are doing. The child also grows up without access to biological medical history or heritage, which is something many people think about when looking at their options.

Where Can I Find a Safe Haven Baby Box Near Me?

While you can hand a baby to a staff member at any Texas hospital or fire station, these specific locations have physical boxes installed for anonymous surrender:

• 4 locations near Dallas, including the McLendon-Chisholm Fire Department
• 3 locations near Houston, including the Woodlands Fire Department
• 5 locations near Lubbock, including Covenant Children’s Hospital
• 1 location in Plainview at Covenant Hospital
• 1 location in Abilene at Abilene Fire Station 7
• 1 location in Dalhart at the Dalhart Fire Department

More baby boxes are being built are being installed all the time, so check this map for your nearest option. If you aren't near a box, you can walk into any Texas fire station or hospital 24/7. Simply hand the baby to a staff member and say that you are surrendering the child under the Baby Moses Law.

Why Adoption May Offer Your Baby the Best Possible Life

A baby box is a life-saving tool for emergencies, but a private adoption plan through an agency like American Adoptions of Texas allows you to stay in control of the outcome. Adoption is a proactive choice that focuses on the child’s identity and your own peace of mind.

A private adoption plan gives you the chance to review family profiles and select the people who will raise the child. You also decide the level of connection you want to have. Choosing an open adoption means you can receive photos and letters, so you don't have to wonder if the child is happy and loved.

Additionally, you have access to 24/7 counseling and help with pregnancy-related needs like rent or groceries. Sharing medical history through this path helps the child live a healthier life and understand where they came from.

How American Adoptions of Texas Can Help

We are a local Texas agency here to support you without judgment. Our team helps you navigate the legal protections of the state while making sure you are making the decisions.

Whether you need help finding a safe location or want to talk about what it looks like to choose a family, we are here to walk through those steps with you. Your safety and the baby's future are what matter most. Our advocates are available 24/7 to give you the information you need to make a choice that feels right for you.

“You’re Not Giving Up — You’re Giving Hope. Let’s Talk About Adoption”

If you are in Texas and feeling overwhelmed, please reach out. We can help you find a safe haven or talk about how a personalized adoption plan might fit your goals for yourself and the baby.

Talk to an advocate anytime at 1-800-ADOPTION or visit our contact page for free, private information.

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