Nightly Scroll with Hayley Caronia

Episode 175: Monica Kelsey: The Woman Who Is Saving Countless Babies
Date: November 12, 2025
Host: Hayley Caronia
Guest: Monica Kelsey, founder of Safe Haven Baby Boxes

Episode Overview

Hayley Caronia welcomes Monica Kelsey, the founder of Safe Haven Baby Boxes, for an in-depth conversation on infant abandonment, Safe Haven laws, and the life-saving mission behind baby boxes in America. Through firsthand stories of tragedy and hope, Monica explains the origins, logistics, and impact of Safe Haven Baby Boxes, illustrating how her personal experience as an abandoned infant led her to champion a movement that has saved hundreds of babies from unsafe abandonment. The episode explores the gaps in awareness about Safe Haven options, legal inconsistencies across states, and the necessity of compassionate, anonymous alternatives for mothers in crisis.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Reality and Tragedy of Infant Abandonment

[00:31–02:48]

• Hayley highlights several recent cases of infant abandonment, spotlighting their harrowing nature and questioning why these tragedies continue despite laws allowing anonymous surrender of unwanted newborns.
• Sets up Monica’s work as a vital solution: “These are the kinds of stories that make you wish there was some kind of a way to prevent all of this.” (Hayley, 01:46)

Monica’s Personal Story: From Abandoned Newborn to Advocate

[02:48–05:41]

• Monica recounts meeting her biological mother at age 37, learning that she was conceived in rape and abandoned at a hospital in Ohio in 1973, just hours after birth.
• “I only say that because… that literally saved my life, that law being in place... But this is my legacy, and I’m now their voice... I’m the voice for these moms…” (Monica, 03:17–03:51)
• After nine days in the hospital as authorities determined next steps, Monica entered foster care, then adoption.

Journey to Safe Haven Baby Boxes

[06:11–07:25]

• Inspired by a baby safe at a church in Cape Town, South Africa, Monica hand-sketched her own design on a napkin during the flight home and launched her U.S. initiative.
• “Christ knew what he was doing when he gave me this job because he knew that I would never give up.” (Monica, 07:17)

Bringing Baby Boxes to America: Early Days & Challenges

[09:38–10:32]

• Before Monica, baby boxes didn’t exist in the U.S. The first was installed in 2016 at her firehouse; within 18 months, the first baby was surrendered this way.
• She explains the prior gaps: sometimes babies left at fire stations when no one was present, leading to dangerous situations.

How Safe Haven Baby Boxes Work

[10:32–12:44]

• Process: A parent opens the box, places the unharmed baby inside, and closes the door. The box automatically alerts 911 within two minutes, and an orange bag with resources is provided.
• Safety features include three separate alarms and a fail-safe for power loss.
• Responding to critics’ safety concerns, Monica improved the lock system so the door cannot be reopened once shut, preventing theft or trafficking.

Impact and Success Rate

[12:44–13:26]

• “The success rate is 100% because our boxes have never failed. We’ve had 70 babies come through the baby box itself and 176 handoffs.” (Monica, 12:51)
• Over 250 infants and their mothers have benefitted from the program.

Finding and Using Baby Boxes; Importance of Outreach

[13:26–14:42]

• Safe Haven Baby Boxes prioritizes search engine optimization so distressed mothers easily find them online.
• “We’re not telling these women to just go to these boxes... We’ve had 176 women allow us to walk them into a fire station…” (Monica, 13:48–14:24)
• The organization always prefers a baby is handed to a person, but baby boxes are critical for those seeking anonymity.

Anonymity vs. Confidentiality

[14:42–15:47]

• Monica outlines the crucial difference: “Confidentiality is basically ... they could possibly know the identity ... but they’re not going to tell anyone. Anonymity means we don’t know your skin color, whether you’re male or female… We don’t even know you’re there.” (Monica, 15:12)

What Happens to Surrendered Infants

[15:47–16:33]

• Babies receive immediate medical care, then enter foster-to-adopt programs with pre-vetted families in most states. Some states use adoption agencies, sometimes involving payment for placement.

Raising Awareness and Reaching Younger Women

[18:11–19:28]

• The organization leverages social media (2 million+ followers) to reach and support young women in crisis and spread the word about the legality and process of Safe Haven surrenders.

Variation in State Laws and Legal Challenges

[20:06–21:35]

• State laws vary greatly (from 72 hours to 1 year for infant age eligibility), which complicates outreach and education.
• Monica supports standardizing the law nationally, ideally at 30 or 60 days, as “95% of our babies ... are within 24 hours old.” (Monica, 21:35)

Fighting Misconceptions About the Pro-life Movement

[23:27–24:28]

• Hayley asks about the “pro-birth” accusation; Monica shares that they provide ongoing support, follow up with families, attend birthday parties, and maintain relationships when allowed.
• “That’s probably the best part of my job, is loving these mamas and loving these babies.” (Monica, 23:55)

The Story of Baby Amelia and the Logo

[24:41–26:18]

• The Safe Haven Baby Boxes logo features the footprint of Baby Amelia, found deceased in woods in Indiana, 2014, after suffering fatal blood loss in the cold. This tragedy underlines the importance of safe options.
• “Her footprint has been seen millions of times... and she’s changing the world with her footprint, whether she knows it or not.” (Monica, 25:51–26:17)

Costs and How to Support

[26:24–27:22]

• Installation costs vary (~$17,000–25,000 depending on contractor/location). Some boxes have saved multiple babies, making the cost per life saved minimal.
• Volunteers and spreading information—especially in schools—are crucial to the organization’s effectiveness.

How Listeners Can Get Involved

[27:22–28:09]

• Hayley volunteers on-air to spread awareness, highlighting the strong volunteer network and the opportunity for listeners to contribute locally or financially.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Monica Kelsey’s origin story:
  “I was abandoned at a hospital in Montpelier, Ohio…April 19, 1973, was left.” (04:43)
• On fighting critics and innovating:
  “I took what my critics were saying about the box and made it better...I need this door to lock. As soon as that door is shut, it cannot reopen until first responders unlock it...” (11:46)
• On state-by-state law challenges:
  “If we don’t understand state laws, how are we supposed to give the information to the moms?” (21:39)
• On the symbolic power of Baby Amelia’s story:
  “We all have a footprint, but it’s always different. And so she’s changing the world with her footprint, whether she knows it or not.” (25:59)
• Hayley's endorsement:
  “I would love to be a volunteer. I will go to schools around here and, you know, scream it from the rooftops about Safe Haven baby boxes. So you can count on me.” (27:48)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

| Time | Topic | |:---------:|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:31 | Hayley introduces Monica, contextualizes the issue of infant abandonment | | 02:48 | Monica’s personal story; birth, abandonment, and adoption | | 06:11 | Military service, inspiration from South Africa, conception of baby boxes | | 09:38 | The first U.S. baby box and initial challenges | | 10:32 | How baby boxes work: step-by-step process | | 12:44 | Measurable success rate of baby boxes | | 13:26 | How parents find boxes, hotline and direct intervention | | 14:42 | Anonymity vs. confidentiality | | 15:49 | Where surrendered babies go | | 18:11 | Outreach and role of social media | | 20:06 | Navigating disparities in state laws and prosecutions | | 21:35 | The argument for standardizing safe haven laws | | 23:27 | Addressing “pro-birth” criticism; ongoing connection with children and families | | 24:41 | Story behind the Baby Amelia logo | | 26:24 | Cost considerations for installing a baby box | | 27:22 | How to volunteer/support Safe Haven Baby Boxes |

Final Thoughts & Takeaways

• Monica Kelsey’s story is both deeply personal and universally impactful, demonstrating that out of tragedy can come hope and systemic change.
• Safe Haven Baby Boxes save lives—hundreds of babies have been delivered to safety through these avenues, supported by a dedicated and innovative team.
• Awareness is still a significant barrier; ongoing outreach, especially to younger women and in schools, is critical.
• State laws must be unified for maximum impact and to simplify life-saving options for mothers in crisis.
• Compassion, privacy, and practicality are at the heart of the movement, ensuring no woman or infant is left without options.

Listeners are encouraged to visit shbb.org for more information or to get involved.