Baby box named after late Congresswoman Jackie Walorski

MISHAWAKA, Ind. - Congressman Rudy Yakym and other officials came together to honor his predecessor, the late Congresswoman Jackie Walorski, with a new safe haven baby box in her name.

Using donations from the Department of Homeland Security and the family and friends of Jackie Walorski, a new safe haven baby box was unveiled Wednesday morning at the Penn Township Fire Station in Mishawaka.

There are now 210 baby boxes in the United States which aim to give women in crisis an option to safely, legally, and anonymously surrender an infant in hopes of giving them a better life.

Congressman Yakym stated, "By naming this baby box in Jackie Walorski's honor, we are also giving a fitting tribute to my predecessor's lifelong service of life and lifelong dedication to life. Jackie was dedicated to life, but she was also full of life. As she channeled her positive energy towards saving children."

If a woman chooses to surrender a baby via the baby box, the door immediately locks.

Then, alarms alert firefighters to get the baby within five minutes and get them to a hospital.

Just last year a record 17 infants were surrendered via baby box nationwide.