Incident at Safe Haven Baby Box in Idaho
Police Arrest 18-Year-Old in Connection with Death of Newborn Found at Baby Box
An 18-year-old from Twin Falls, Idaho, was arrested on Thursday for failing to report the death of a newborn baby found at a Safe Haven Baby Box at the Grove Creek Medical Center in Blackfoot. The baby box is a facility designed to allow new mothers to anonymously surrender their newborns under 30 days old without fear of legal repercussions.
Timeline of Events
The baby girl was found dead inside the baby box on October 13. A medical team responded to an alarm notifying them of the presence of an infant and removed the baby from the box within a minute. Further investigation revealed that the baby had been dead before she was placed in the baby box.
Investigation and Arrest
The Blackfoot Police Department launched an investigation into the incident, and following a thorough investigation, 18-year-old Angel N. Newberry was arrested and booked into the Bingham County Jail on Thursday. Newberry has been charged with failure to report a death to law enforcement and the coroner.
Background on Safe Haven Baby Boxes
Safe Haven Baby Boxes are facilities designed to provide a safe and anonymous way for custodial parents to surrender a newborn under 30 days old without fear of legal repercussions. However, as stated by the Blackfoot Police Department, the placement of a harmed or deceased infant is not protected under this system or Idaho law.
Conclusion
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of reporting any suspicious or alarming situations to law enforcement and the coroner. As the investigation continues, further charges may be filed in connection with the death of the newborn baby.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of Safe Haven Baby Boxes?
A: The purpose of Safe Haven Baby Boxes is to provide a safe and anonymous way for custodial parents to surrender a newborn under 30 days old without fear of legal repercussions.
Q: What happened in this particular incident?
A: A newborn baby girl was found dead inside a Safe Haven Baby Box at the Grove Creek Medical Center in Blackfoot, Idaho. The baby had been dead before she was placed in the baby box.
Q: Who was arrested in connection with the incident?
A: 18-year-old Angel N. Newberry from Twin Falls, Idaho, was arrested and booked into the Bingham County Jail on charges of failure to report a death to law enforcement and the coroner.
Q: Can further charges be filed in connection with the incident?
A: Yes, further charges may be filed in connection with the death of the newborn baby as the investigation continues.