Tomball Fire Station #5 Dedicates Harris County’s First Safe Haven Baby Box in Life-Saving Ceremony
Tomball marked a historic and heartfelt moment this week as the community came together on Tuesday, September 2 to officially dedicate Harris County’s first Safe Haven Baby Box at Tomball Fire Station #5.
Led by Tomball Fire Rescue, in partnership with Harris County Emergency Services District #15 and the City of Tomball, the installation brings a life-saving option for parents in crisis—providing a safe, legal, and anonymous way to surrender a newborn who might otherwise be at risk.
This is only the second Safe Haven Baby Box in Southeast Texas, with the first installed earlier this year in The Woodlands.
A Community-Wide Commitment to Protect Life
The emotional dedication ceremony was spearheaded by Lieutenant John Kelley of Tomball Fire Rescue and brought together faith leaders, local officials, first responders, and families united by the belief that every life deserves protection.
Reverend Thomas Hopper of St. Anne Catholic Church offered a prayer and blessing over the baby box, dedicating it to the future lives it may help save.
Also in attendance were Marcus and Melanie Luttrell of Team Never Quit, who helped champion the initiative locally through a partnership with St. Matthias Catholic Church and St. Anne Catholic Church.
The event also featured a special appearance by Monica Kelsey, founder and CEO of Safe Haven Baby Boxes, whose personal story inspired a national movement to install these secure, anonymous infant surrender sites at fire stations across the country.
Tomball Mayor Lori Klein Quinn joined Councilmembers Lisa Covington and Randy Parr, as well as representatives from the offices of Congressman Wesley Hunt, State Rep. Tom Oliverson, and Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey, to mark the occasion and express their support.
“We are incredibly grateful for the dedication of Tomball Fire Rescue, Harris County ESD #15, and the many community supporters who believe every life is worth protecting,” shared the City of Tomball.
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How the Safe Haven Baby Box Works
The box is installed on the exterior wall of Tomball Fire Station #5, located at 19900 Telge Rd. Once a baby is placed inside:
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The outer door locks automatically to prevent re-entry.
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An alarm is triggered, notifying on-site first responders.
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Personnel retrieve the infant immediately from an interior access door for care and medical evaluation.
The system is compliant with Texas’s Safe Haven Law, also known as the Baby Moses Law, which allows parents to safely and anonymously surrender an unharmed baby up to 60 days old without fear of prosecution.
Funded Entirely by Donations, Fueled by Local Compassion
According to officials, no taxpayer dollars were used to install the baby box. The project was entirely funded by private donations, with support from Tomball residents, local churches, and community members moved by the mission to protect life.
The average cost to install a Safe Haven Baby Box ranges from $10,000 to $15,000, according to Safe Haven Baby Boxes, Inc. This includes the secure, climate-controlled device, integrated alarm and notification systems, and professional installation to ensure compliance with safety protocols at the hosting facility.
A Regional Safety Net Begins to Form
The Tomball baby box follows the April 2025 installation in The Woodlands, which became the first in the Greater Houston area after a tragic summer the year before, when six infants were abandoned in Southeast Texas, two fatally.
These devices are part of a growing national network. Since the first Safe Haven Law passed in 1999, over 4,500 infants have been safely surrendered across the U.S. In contrast, more than 900 infants have tragically died from illegal abandonment during that same period.
“It only takes one child saved to make this all worth it,” said Safe Haven Baby Boxes founder Monica Kelsey. “And I promise you—it will happen here, too.”
What Parents in Crisis Should Know
For any parent in a desperate situation, know that you are not alone, and there are legal, compassionate options available.
Resources
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Texas Baby Moses Hotline: 1‑877‑904‑SAVE (1‑877‑904‑7283)
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Website: www.shbb.org
Under the law, a parent may legally and anonymously surrender a baby 60 days old or younger, as long as the child is unharmed and left at a designated Safe Haven location, like a hospital, fire station, or EMS facility.
What’s Next for Tomball
Tomball’s leadership, faith community, and first responders have made it clear: this isn’t just about a box—it’s about building a safety net for the most vulnerable among us.
The Safe Haven Baby Box is now fully operational, ready to serve as a quiet guardian in times of crisis.
Tomball Fire Rescue and community partners say they hope this is the first of many steps in expanding care options for mothers and babies across Harris County.
Stay with My Neighborhood News for updates on public safety efforts, health resources, and Tomball initiatives that impact the people who call this community home.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
