You don’t have to go through this alone. If you’re thinking about using a safe haven baby box in West Virginia, it means you’re trying to protect your baby in the best way you know how. That intention is powerful, and it speaks to the love you have in your heart.

Still, this moment may be one of the hardest you’ll ever face—one that carries overwhelming emotions like fear, urgency, uncertainty, or isolation. Learn more about putting a baby up for adoption to understand your full range of options.

Safe haven baby boxes can seem like the most immediate and private option, and for some, they may feel like the only way. But it’s important to know: you have other choices—ones that are just as safe and confidential, but that give you more control, more support, and more peace of mind.

Private adoption is one of those paths. It allows you to protect your privacy while also choosing the kind of life your child will have, receiving emotional and financial help, and having the time and guidance you need to make a thoughtful, empowered decision.

No matter where you are in your journey or what led you here, your feelings are valid. Your situation matters. And we are here—with compassion, understanding, and real, judgment-free support—to help you explore every option and choose the one that’s right for you and your baby.

How Do Safe Haven Baby Boxes Work?

A safe haven baby box is a legal, secure location where a parent can anonymously surrender an unharmed newborn without facing legal charges. Installed at select fire stations and hospitals, these boxes allow a mother to place her baby inside, close the door, and walk away—no questions asked.

Once the door shuts, it locks automatically and silently alerts on-site staff and emergency services. Within minutes, trained professionals retrieve the baby and ensure immediate medical care.

Safety and care are key:

• A temperature-regulated interior that maintains a safe, comfortable environment for the baby regardless of outside weather conditions
• A ventilation system that maintains proper airflow and helps protect the baby from suffocation or temperature extremes
• A silent alarm system that immediately notifies trained on-site staff and emergency responders
• Specifically designed for newborns who are 30 days old or younger, as defined by West Virginia’s Safe Haven Law

This system is meant to be anonymous and judgment-free—but it’s also final. Once a baby is surrendered through a safe haven box, the mother generally has no legal claim to that child again.

Learn more about finding adoptive parents

Safe Haven Baby Boxes vs. Adoption: What’s Right for You?

Safe haven baby boxes are designed for emergencies—but adoption gives you a choice.

When considering the differences between using a safe haven baby box and choosing private adoption, it’s important to understand the long-term implications of each. A safe haven baby box offers complete anonymity and allows for immediate surrender, but it provides no control over who adopts your baby, no opportunity for post-placement contact, and no emotional or financial support.

In contrast, private adoption still allows you to remain anonymous if you choose, but also gives you full control over selecting the adoptive family, access to free 24/7 counseling, financial support for birth mothers, and the ability to decide on ongoing contact—whether that’s open, semi-open, or closed. Most importantly, private adoption gives you time: time to think, to plan, and to make the decision that feels right for both you and your child.

Adoption through a licensed agency gives you:

• Free, confidential counseling that offers emotional support whenever you need it
• Financial assistance for essentials like housing, groceries, medical care, and transportation
• The ability to choose a family that reflects your hopes and values, and to build a meaningful connection with them before and after placement
• Ongoing updates or a relationship with your child—whether that’s receiving photos and letters, scheduled visits, or simply knowing they’re safe and loved—if that’s what you choose

Learn more about West Virginia financial assistance options for birth mothers.

Understanding Safe Haven Laws in West Virginia: What You Should Know

West Virginia’s Safe Haven Law allows a parent to legally and anonymously surrender an unharmed infant who is 30 days old or younger to a designated safe haven location, without facing criminal charges. This law is designed to prevent infant abandonment and ensure that babies are placed into safe, caring hands immediately.

Designated safe haven locations in West Virginia include:

• Hospitals
• Licensed adoption agencies
• Fire departments
• Police departments
• Any location with a Safe Haven Baby drop off point

The core purpose of the law is to protect vulnerable newborns while offering parents, especially mothers in crisis, a way to surrender their baby safely and without fear of legal consequences. It acknowledges the emotional complexity of such a decision and provides a pathway focused on safety and compassion.

However, it is important to understand that once a child is surrendered under the Safe Haven Law in West Virginia, that decision is considered final. Parents typically forfeit all parental rights and will not be able to reclaim custody or receive updates about the child’s well-being or adoption outcome.

Are There Safe Haven Baby Boxes in West Virginia?

Yes. As of 2025, there are safe haven baby boxes available in West Virginia, located at designated fire departments across the state.

Safe Haven Baby Boxes near You:

St Albains Fire Department Central Station

51 6th Avenue, St Albains WV 25177

Morgantown FD Station 2 Norwood

100 Hilcrest Drive, Morgantown, WV 26501

Marshall County EMS

6 Tominson Ave Moundsville, WV 26041

Wheeling Fire Department Station #5

11 N Wabash St, Wheeling, WV 26003

Out of Safe Haven Baby Boxes:

There are also boxes in neighboring states that may be closer for some:

Ashland Fire Department

1021 Carter Ave, Ashland, KY 41101

Pikeville Fire Department

156 Hambley Blvd, Pikeville, KY 41501

McConnellsburg Fire Department

112 E. Maple St., McConnellsburg, PA 17233

Use this tool to find more safe haven baby box locations near you: Safe Haven Baby Box Locator

What Happens After You Use a Baby Box or Safe Haven Location in West Virginia?

Once a baby is surrendered at a safe haven baby box or designated location, a carefully structured process begins to ensure the infant’s immediate safety and long-term care:

• Emergency personnel are alerted right away and retrieve the baby within minutes.
• The infant is taken to a hospital for a full medical evaluation and any necessary treatment.
• Child Protective Services (CPS) is promptly notified and assumes custody of the baby.
• The child is then placed in temporary foster care while the state determines the next steps.

Typically, the baby becomes eligible for adoption through the state’s child welfare system. While this process ensures the child's basic needs are met, it also means the birth parent has no legal say in who adopts the child, cannot receive updates, and is not entitled to post-placement contact. The decision is final, and the child’s future is no longer shaped by the birth parent’s preferences or hopes.

Learn more about how children feel about being adopted

How Adoption Can Provide a Brighter Future—for You and Your Baby

Adoption puts the power back in your hands—and places your baby’s future in the care of a loving, carefully chosen family. It allows you to make a decision that reflects your love, your values, and your hopes—not just for your child, but for yourself.

With the help of a licensed adoption agency, you can:

• Select the adoptive family who will raise your baby based on the traits, beliefs, and lifestyle that matter most to you
• Decide exactly how much contact you’d like to have after the adoption—ranging from open adoption with ongoing updates to a fully private arrangement
• Receive financial assistance to help with housing, groceries, transportation, medical expenses, and more during your pregnancy and recovery
• Access compassionate, 24/7 counseling and support from trained professionals who understand what you're going through

All of these services are completely free to you, and tailored to your specific needs. You don’t have to walk this path alone—you can move forward with strength, support, and the assurance that you are giving your child the best possible future.

Explore real journeys through 3 open adoption stories and understand the impact of adoption through real experiences.

There’s No Rush — Adoption Can Happen Before or After Birth

Even if your baby is already born, adoption is still a loving and thoughtful option. Many birth mothers begin the adoption process after delivery—sometimes days or even weeks later—and still receive the same compassionate support and control over their journey.

This path is still open to you. You can:

• Receive financial assistance right away to help with critical expenses such as rent, groceries, medical bills, transportation, and other necessities that support your stability and recovery
• Choose an adoptive family whose values, parenting style, and lifestyle align with your hopes and vision for your baby’s future
• Create an adoption plan that reflects your emotional needs, personal circumstances, and the hopes you hold for your baby’s future
• Decide what kind of relationship you want to have with your child after placement—whether that’s regular contact, occasional updates, or complete privacy

It's never too late to choose a plan that honors both your child’s future and your own healing. You’re not out of options—and you’re not alone.

How You Can Maintain Your Privacy Without Sacrificing Your Peace of Mind

Confidential adoption is just as private as a safe haven box—yet it offers so much more for both you and your baby. With confidential adoption, your privacy is respected fully, but you don’t have to give up the ability to shape your child’s future.

• You don’t have to share your decision with anyone if you choose not to.
• Your adoption plan remains between you and your specialist—completely confidential and customized to your needs.
• You decide how much or how little contact you want with the adoptive family, both now and in the future. Whether that’s a fully closed adoption or a semi-open plan with occasional updates, the decision is yours.
• You still have access to free support, including counseling and financial assistance, even if no one else knows what you’re going through.

Confidential adoption gives you the best of both worlds: total privacy and lasting peace of mind. You’re in control—and we’re here to support you however you need.

Learn more about Privacy and Adoption

FAQ About Safe Haven Baby Boxes in West Virginia

What Makes Safe Haven Boxes Safe for Babies?

Safe Haven Baby Boxes are designed with several critical safety features to ensure immediate care for surrendered infants. These include an alarm system that instantly alerts on-site staff when the box is opened, a temperature-controlled interior to keep the baby safe and comfortable, an exterior lock that activates automatically after use, and a bassinet-style bed that gently secures the newborn inside.

Can You Get Your Baby Back After Safe Haven in West Virginia?

In most cases, no. Once surrendered, parental rights are terminated and the baby is placed into state custody for adoption.

Can Safe Haven Babies Be Adopted?

Yes, but you won’t choose the family. The baby enters foster care and is adopted through the state without your involvement.

Is There a Safe Haven Baby Box Age Limit in West Virginia?

Yes. You can only use the safe haven law for babies 30 days old or younger.

What Does a Safe Haven Box Look Like?

A safe haven baby box is typically a white box installed into the exterior wall of a fire station or hospital. It is clearly marked with signage such as “Safe Haven Baby Box Drop Off.” The door can be opened from the outside using a handle, and inside there is a soft, bassinet-style bed. Once the baby is placed inside and the door is closed, it locks automatically and alerts emergency personnel to retrieve the infant immediately.

What You Do Next Matters and We Can Help

Your baby’s life—and your own—can take a brighter path starting today. You don’t have to face this alone.

If you’re feeling scared or uncertain, we’re here to listen and offer real, judgment-free support. A safe haven baby box might seem like your only option, but you still have time to make a loving decision that gives you peace and your baby a hopeful future.

Talk to someone who understands and can walk you through your choices—confidentially and at no cost.

You are not alone. You are not a failure. You are making a brave, loving choice.

Call 1-800-ADOPTION now. We’re here to help.

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