Kentucky State Representative Nancy Tate joins Monica Kelsey to share the powerful legislative journey behind bringing Safe Haven Baby Boxes to the Commonwealth. As a freshman legislator, Tate led the charge on three bills that passed unanimously—an extraordinary feat in today’s political climate. Her passion was sparked by the real-life abandonment of a baby in Bowling Green, and she went above and beyond by visiting Indiana to see the technology in action before advocating for it back home.

Together, Tate and Kelsey dive into how baby boxes meet mothers in crisis with compassion and discretion. In a culture increasingly shaped by privacy and digital interactions, anonymous surrender options provide a modern, life-saving solution. As Kelsey puts it, “These kids are doing everything behind a screen,” and baby boxes meet that reality with dignity and care.

Today, Kentucky has over 50 baby boxes thanks to grassroots support—not government funding. Tate’s vision of 155 boxes, one in every county, continues to rally communities statewide. Through heartfelt stories of birth mothers and adoptive families, this episode highlights how real change begins with understanding human needs—and ends with lives saved.

Kentucky Legislature

HB 155 Bill Text - Kentucky

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What happens when an abandoned baby grows up to protect the very streets where they were once left behind? In this deeply moving conversation, South Bend Police Officer Matthew Stewart shares his extraordinary journey from being the "newspaper baby" – abandoned in a cardboard box in an apartment complex breezeway on Christmas Eve 2000 – to becoming a guardian of his community.

Matthew's story unfolds with remarkable candor as he recounts how tenants heard his cries, leading to his rescue and subsequent adoption. The timing of his abandonment – just before Indiana implemented the Safe Haven Law in 2001 – highlights how different his story might have been had his teenage birth parents had access to safe surrender options like baby boxes. Born at home without medical care and kept for a week before being abandoned, Matthew's very survival seems miraculous.

The conversation takes an extraordinary turn as Matthew reveals how, during his police training, he discovered that the detective who investigated his abandonment case still worked with the department. This full-circle moment provided answers to questions he'd carried his entire life. With remarkable grace, Matthew shares his perspective on connecting with his birth parents and half-siblings, demonstrating forgiveness rather than resentment for the desperate circumstances that led to his abandonment.

Host Monica Kelsey, founder of Safe Haven Baby Boxes and an abandoned infant herself, creates a powerful space for authentic connection as they discuss shared experiences of adoption, identity, and finding purpose beyond difficult beginnings. Their conversation illuminates how two people once left behind have transformed potential tragedy into lives of service, family, and remarkable resilience.

South Bend PD

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Linda Znachko, founder of He Knows Your Name Ministry, recounts her journey of providing dignity and proper burials for abandoned infants after seeing a news report about "Baby Doe" found in a dumpster. Her powerful mission statement that "Doe is not a name, a dumpster is not a grave, and a diaper is not burial clothing" has guided her work for over fifteen years. 

Linda shares the heartbreaking yet inspiring journey of how she became an advocate for these infants, beginning with the tragic story of Baby Nicholas and later, Baby Amelia—whose tiny footprint became the symbol of the Safe Haven Baby Boxes movement. Featured in this episode:

Monica and Linda discuss the challenges of raising awareness about safe haven laws, the importance of naming and honoring these lost children, and the crucial role of community involvement. Their deep-rooted passion for protecting vulnerable babies and supporting struggling mothers shines through, as they emphasize the need for continued education, advocacy, and collaboration.

Monica is working hard to put Linda out of business by ensuring babies are safely surrendered rather than abandoned, while continuing to honor those who have been lost.

https://heknowsyourname.org/

https://www.nationalsafehavenalliance.org/

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Welcome to the debut episode of Beyond the Box with Monica Kelsey, a brand-new podcast from Monica Kelsey, Founder and CEO of Safe Haven Baby Boxes. This series will explore the stories behind the mission to protect newborns and provide safe, anonymous options for mothers in crisis.

In this first episode, America’s favorite fire chief, John Moriarty, joins the conversation to reflect on the journey of bringing a Safe Haven Baby Box to Carmel Fire Department. With 43 years of service, John shares how his passion for community outreach led him to champion this life-saving initiative. From initial skepticism to full-hearted support, he recounts the challenges faced during the installation process and the unforgettable moment when their first baby was surrendered—1,194 days after the box was put in place.

The discussion highlights the impact of Baby Amelia’s legacy, the changing attitudes within the fire service, and how new legislation, such as Bill 345, is streamlining adoptions to ensure babies find loving homes faster. This episode sets the stage for future conversations about the power of collaboration, the importance of education, and the lives forever changed by Safe Haven Baby Boxes.

Indiana Safe Haven Law

He Knows Your Name

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