05/13/2026
Blessing of Manchester Safe Haven Baby Box Today!
A life-saving resource will soon be available in New Hampshire. Safe Haven Baby Boxes and the Manchester Fire Department are excited to announce the blessing and official unveiling of New Hampshire’s first Safe Haven Baby Box located at the Manchester Fire Department, 100 Merrimack Street.
The ceremony will take place on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 1 PM EST. This Blessing marks the 443rd Safe Haven Baby Box in the nation and the 1st in New Hampshire, expanding access to safe, anonymous surrender options for mothers in crisis.
Twenty-five states have baby box locations to provide hope in the face of a crisis pregnancy. The program has facilitated 77 baby box surrenders and assisted with over 200 face-to-face surrenders. The National Hotline, 1-866-99BABY1, provides free counseling 24/7 before and following a surrender.
Three states have launched their first baby box this year, South Dakota, Maine and now New Hampshire. Safe surrender is extra relevant to the Manchester, NH community after a baby girl was found floating in Pine Island Pond in March of last year. The heartbroken community has taken action to avoid this heartbreaking tragedy from occurring again.
We would like to give a special thank you to Catherine Kelley, Pennacook Pregnancy Center, and Father Jason Jalbert, Saint Joseph Cathedral, who poured their hard work, heart, and dedication into bringing this Baby Box to our community. Your commitment to protecting the most vulnerable and ensuring families have safe options has made a lasting impact, and we are deeply grateful for your efforts in making this life‑saving resource a reality.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes Founder, Monica Kelsey shared, ““New Hampshire amended its Safe Haven law to allow baby boxes in July of 2024, but it wasn’t until an innocent baby girl was tragically found in a pond that the urgency to place a box in a community truly took hold,” said Safe Haven Baby Boxes Founder Monica Kelsey. “Sadly, we see the heartbreak of abandoned babies far too often. But we also see the hope that safe surrender provides for mothers in crisis. When these babies are placed with loving adoptive families, we witness how a painful situation can be redeemed. We are grateful to now be in New Hampshire and hope more communities choose to be proactive rather than reactive.”
The public is encouraged to attend this community event and learn more about how Safe Haven Baby Boxes help protect vulnerable infants and support parents who choose a safe, legal alternative in moments of crisis.
PROGRAM DETAILS
WHAT: Blessing of the Manchester, New Hampshire Safe Haven Baby Box
WHERE: 100 Merrimack St., Manchester, NH 03101.
WHEN: Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 1 PM EST.