BOCC approves baby box agreement
Bonner County commissioner Steven Bradshaw and former Board Chair Luke Omodt cut the ribbon on the new Bonner County EMS building on Sept. 6. Commissioners approved an agreement Tuesday that will allow a baby box to be installed at the facility in the coming months.
Photo by ERIC WELCH
SANDPOINT — Bonner County commissioners voted Tuesday to approve a lease service agreement for a baby box.
The device is designed to allow a parent to safely and anonymously abandon their infant child and will be installed at the new EMS station, 521 S. Division Ave., in Sandpoint. Funding for the box and its maintenance has been provided by donors of local nonprofit Life Choices Pregnancy Center, executive director Janine Shepard said at the meeting.
A state law allowing the use of baby boxes went into effect July 1. Once installed, the device will be among the first in Idaho.
“This has been a many months-long project,” said Bonner County EMS Chief Jeff Lindsey. “It’s a safe way for someone who’s thinking of giving up their baby to be able to do it with anonymity.”
Idaho law requires Safe Haven sites such as hospitals and emergency medical stations to take temporary custody of children under 30 days old if a parent delivers the child. The device aims to offer anonymity to a parent in that scenario.
“If the box were not here, that doesn’t keep the baby from showing up,” Lindsey explained.
The climate-controlled box includes technology that automatically calls 911 and locks the door from the exterior once an infant has been placed in. Bonner County EMS will respond within five minutes, and the child will be taken to a professional care facility to receive a health evaluation and treatment if needed.
During Tuesday’s meeting, Board Chair Asia Williams examined details of the agreement, including the county’s liability for the health and wellbeing of an infant in the box.
Williams told attendees she thought the box was a good idea but questioned if the EMS station was the right place for the device.
“Yes, the anonymity is what you’re looking for, but you can achieve that in the hospital while adding an additional line of protection for the baby,” Williams said.
Public commenters voiced support for the agreement, and asked commissioners to accept some risk of liability in exchange for the potential to help save a life.
“When the sheriff dispatches people to a call, he doesn’t sit down and look at his account or the liability,” Dennis Engelhardt said during the comment period. “He performs his statutory duty, and he sends people to help — whoever it is.”
“I think we should not be so concerned about possible liability and be more concerned about protecting our citizens, of which this child is,” Engelhardt added.
Williams suggested an amendment to require Bonner County risk management, EMS, and law enforcement officials to sign in approval before the box is used.
Commissioners Bradshaw and Korn expressed support for the agreement in its original state. Both Bradshaw and Korn ultimately voted in favor of the original agreement, while Williams abstained.
“I only abstained because I want to get the risks mitigated before we move forward. It’s a fantastic idea,” Williams said.
According to Shepard, the box will arrive 6–8 weeks after it is purchased, after which it will be installed.