After a parent/guardian arrives at the Sheriff’s Office with the newborn, they will walk up to the main entrance, where they will find the Safe Haven Baby Box (SHBB) on the right. After the door is opened and the child is placed inside, the door will automatically lock.

The SHBB is climate-controlled and contains a live-feed camera. The live feed goes direct to our 911 Dispatch Center where they can see the inside of the Safe Haven Baby Box.

Ashe County 911 Dispatch is alerted via three methods when the child is placed inside the box. These methods are visual and auditory in nature, alerting our dispatchers that a child has been placed in the Safe Haven Baby Box. From our center, we will be notified by 1) A bright red flashing light, 2) a low auditory siren, and 3) a live feed from inside the box.

When the outside door is opened, the alarms will alert us in our 911 Center. After the newborn is placed in the basket and the door is shut, all notifications cease for 60 seconds. These 60 seconds allow the mother to return to her car and drive away.

After the 60 seconds is complete, and a newborn is in the box, all alerts will begin again and remain on until the child is removed from the interior side of the box.

Ashe Medics are quickly dispatched to our address, as well as the Ashe County Department of Social Services. A 911 Dispatcher, Detention Officer, or Law Enforcement Officer is responding to the front of the Sheriff’s Office during this time. They will verify there is a child in the box, and ensure the child is swaddled and safe.

Once Ashe Medics picks the newborn up, they will deliver them to Ashe Memorial Hospital. From this point, the normal process for AMH and Ashe DSS begins for safety and placement in a new home.

Frequently Asked Questions