EAST END, Ark. — A new law is expanding the ability for rural fire departments to have a baby box in Arkansas.
The law was first introduced in 2019. Since then, the state has seen five babies surrendered.
State Rep. Julie Mayberry, R-Hensley, wants to see the boxes in every fire department.
"It is a problem, and it is something that goes on daily," East End Fire Chief Darrel Feagan said. "We are not used to that problem coming to us."
About 18 months ago, Mayberry approached Feagan to see if a Safe Haven baby box could be installed at the fire station.
The department was all for it, but they didn't meet the requirements.
"What I discovered is they didn't qualify because they were a volunteer fire department," Mayberry said. "There were a few shifts where they didn't have someone paid to be there."
That's when she sponsored the law's expansion and ensured volunteer fire departments could have the device. The new requirements included a four-minute response time, EMS within a mile of the department and an alarm that could notify 911 dispatch.
The fire departments must have at least two personnel who can monitor the baby box with cameras.
The first Safe Haven baby box in Arkansas was placed in Benton. When a baby is dropped off, a silent alarm will notify personnel that it has been used and they can quickly get the child.
Since then, three babies have been surrendered to Benton, the most recent being last summer.
ACLU said while Safe Haven baby boxes are an option, there is a more significant issue.
"At the heart of this issue is the essential right of every individual to have access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare," the ACLU said. "This includes not just emergency measures, but also prenatal and postnatal care, family planning services, and education about reproductive health."
Now, East End wants to be the next to have a Safe Haven baby box. They meet all the requirements and have almost raised enough money to purchase and install the box.
"It would be good to provide one for this side of the county," Feagan said. "We would be the most eastern point in the state to have one."