Newborn placed in baby box at Hobbs fire station
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HOBBS, N.M. – A baby was surrendered safely, and legally, inside a baby box at a Hobbs fire station Saturday.
Under the New Mexico Safe Haven Act, a baby up to 90 days old can be surrendered at a hospital, fire, or police station without any criminal charges.
The baby was immediately taken to a nearby hospital. Officials say the baby was found to be “healthy and well cared for.”
State Sen. David Gallegos, who represents Eddy and Lea counties, says Hobbs joined Española as the only two cities in the state to have Safe Haven baby boxes as an option to safely surrender babies.
At a news conference Monday, Gallegos said he wants to focus on education now.
“I think that we need to do things different,” Gallegos said. “I’m going to be asking that we educate in the public schools. And I’m willing to give the public schools funding to be able to push the education. “
Gallegos said $10,000 is set aside for every county to purchase a baby box. In October, Belen is set to have a ribbon cutting for its own baby box, making it the third one in the state.
The surrendered baby will be taken into CYFD custody.
MORE:
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- Hobbs police: Baby found dead in hospital bathroom