Safe Haven Baby Boxes in Iowa: What to Know Before You Walk Away

If you're here, it's likely because you're facing one of the hardest moments of your life. You may feel scared, uncertain, and completely overwhelmed. Maybe you're thinking about leaving your baby somewhere safe, hoping they’ll be cared for. That instinct to protect them is loving, and you have more than one way to act on it.

This page is here to walk beside you, not push you. Whether you're thinking about safe surrender or wondering if adoption could be a better fit, we want to gently guide you through your options in Iowa. Every step is designed to give you calm, control, and dignity.

You are not the first to face this, and you will not face it alone. Thousands of women have stood where you are, and found paths filled with peace, strength, and hope.

How Do Safe Haven Baby Boxes Work?

These boxes are built into the outer walls of fire stations and hospitals, giving a way for parents in crisis to leave their newborns in a warm, safe, and protected space—without ever seeing or speaking to anyone.

Here's how it works:

You gently place your baby in the padded, climate-controlled space.
The door locks automatically after it closes.
A silent alarm alerts on-site professionals, who retrieve your baby within minutes.

These boxes are designed for privacy and speed. In Iowa, they're legally allowed under the Safe Haven Act for babies 30 days old or younger, and they're installed in buildings staffed 24/7 by people trained to help.

Each box includes:

Climate control for the baby’s safety
Ventilation for air flow
Security locks to prevent re-entry
Immediate alerts to staff for fast response

But please know—while these boxes are legal and safe, they are permanent. You will not have a say in where your baby goes or who raises them.

Finding Your Adoption Match

Comparing Safe Surrender and Private Adoption in Iowa

A safe haven box can feel like the fastest way to keep your baby safe. But it’s important to understand what you may be giving up.

With private adoption, you keep more say and receive support:

You choose the family who will raise your baby.
You get help with housing, bills, and emotional support—completely free.
You can stay connected if you want updates, photos, or future contact.
You have time—no pressure, no deadlines.

With a safe haven box, you don’t get any of that. You don’t know where your baby will go. You won’t get updates. You can’t change your mind.

Private adoption is still 100% confidential—but it also gives you the power to create a future that feels right, for both of you.

What Iowa’s Safe Haven Law Means for You

In Iowa, the Safe Haven Act allows you to legally and anonymously surrender your newborn—up to 30 days old—without fear of criminal prosecution. It ensures that your baby is kept safe and cared for immediately.

You have two legal ways to do this:

You can place your baby in a designated safe haven baby box.
Or, you can hand your baby directly to qualified professionals, such as hospital staff, fire department personnel, or law enforcement officers at facilities staffed 24/7.

No questions will be asked, and your identity does not have to be shared. These professionals are trained to respond with compassion and care.

This law is meant to protect both you and your child in urgent or overwhelming situations. However, it also means permanently giving up your parental rights, with no way to reconnect or receive updates later on.

If you're looking for the same level of privacy but want more options—like choosing your baby’s adoptive family or receiving updates—confidential adoption may be the better choice. It gives you both protection and empowerment.

Learn more from Iowa HHS

Where Baby Boxes Are Available in Iowa

Yes, Iowa now has a few baby boxes available for parents in crisis. The first was installed in Fort Dodge in 2023, followed by another in Des Moines in 2024.

These boxes are built into fire stations that are staffed at all times, giving you a way to safely leave your baby without speaking to anyone. They were introduced as an additional resource for those in emergency situations who may feel they have no other option.

While there are only a couple of these boxes in Iowa right now, more may be added in the future, especially in parts of the state where access to hospitals or other surrender sites might be limited.

Find a Safe Surrender Location Near You

If you’re not near Fort Dodge or Des Moines, there are still safe and legal ways to surrender your baby under Iowa’s Safe Haven Law. You can hand your newborn directly to staff at a hospital, or to first responders at a fire station or law enforcement agency—no baby box required.

You do not need to share your name or any personal details. Just let them know you want to use the safe haven option. They are there to protect your baby—and to treat you with care and respect.

Use this map to find the closest designated location, or find boxes nearby in other states. If you still need help, call us; we have staff standing by to give free, confidential, unbiased support 24/7.

What Happens After You Use a Safe Haven Baby Box?

Here’s what takes place once your baby is surrendered:

First responders retrieve your baby within minutes.
Medical professionals check on their health and well-being.
Custody is given to Iowa’s Department of Health and Human Services.
The baby goes into foster care and then adoption through the state.

From that moment, the process cannot be reversed. You will no longer have parental rights, and you won’t receive updates or information.

Some parents find peace in knowing their baby is safe. Others struggle with not knowing what comes next.

If you want a more personal way to say goodbye—one with updates, a say in your baby’s future, and emotional support—adoption can give you that.

Will I See My Baby Again?

How Adoption Can Create a Loving Future—for Both of You

When you choose adoption, you aren’t just choosing safety—you’re choosing connection.

Support is free and 24/7: Housing, bills, counseling, and more are covered.

You decide: You pick the family, choose the level of contact, and make a plan that works for you.
You can wait until you’re ready: Many women start the process after birth.
You can stay part of your baby’s story: If you want, you can get photos, updates, and even future visits.

Adoption isn’t about giving up—it’s about giving your child a life full of love, and giving yourself the support you need to heal and move forward.

Already Given Birth? It's Not Too Late to Choose Adoption

Whether your baby is one day or a few weeks old, adoption is still an option.

You can:

Make a plan from the hospital or your home
Get financial help and emotional support right away
Choose the adoptive family and level of contact

There’s no pressure. There’s no deadline. This is still your decision to make.

Can You Stay Private and Still Stay Connected?

Yes. You can keep your identity private and still choose adoption.

You don’t have to be named in public documents.
Communication can happen through your adoption specialist.
You can share as little—or as much—as you feel comfortable with.

Adoption protects your privacy and gives you peace of mind. Your child will grow up safe, loved, and chosen by you—even if they never know your name.

Learn about confidential adoption

Common Questions about Baby Boxes in Iowa

How Do These Boxes Keep Babies Safe?

They are built into fire stations and hospitals with 24/7 staff. The boxes have heating, ventilation, and alarms. Once a baby is placed inside, the box locks and alerts staff in under one minute.

Can You Get Your Baby Back After Surrender?

No. Surrender is final. You lose all parental rights, and the process can’t be reversed.

What Happens Next?

The baby gets medical care and is placed with Iowa’s child welfare system. Eventually, the state finds an adoptive family. You won’t be involved or updated.

Is There an Age Limit?

Yes. The baby must be 30 days old or younger.

What Do Baby Boxes Look Like?

They look like large drawers, built into a building’s exterior wall. Inside, there's a padded, temperature-controlled bed. They are clearly marked and tested regularly for safety.

What You Do Now Matters—And You Don’t Have to Do It Alone

Right now, you may be carrying fear, grief, love, confusion—all at once. No one can take that away. But someone can sit with you in it.

Whether you’re considering safe surrender or wondering about what adoption really feels like, we’re here to talk—without pressure, judgment, or expectations.

You’re doing the best you can. And there is support for whatever comes next.

Talk to Someone in Iowa Today

If you’re in Iowa and thinking about what to do next, you can speak with someone right now.

American Adoptions Davenport Office

4620 E 53rd St, Suite 200, Davenport, IA 52807

1-800-ADOPTION

American Adoptions Waterloo Office

3112 Brockway Rd, Suite A, Waterloo, IA 50701