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The door to the baby box may be accessed from the outside of the building at the Washington County Ambulance Building.

More photos below story.

By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

Many have heard of a Safe Haven Baby Box, but few may realize that Salem has its own.

The baby box was the brainchild of Monica Kelsey. She first saw the idea at a church in Cape Town, South Africa. She has made it her mission to get these placed in all 50 states. To date, the baby boxes are in use in 19 states.

Kelsey’s passion is fired by the fact that she was abandoned as a baby. Indiana Safe Haven Law enables a person to give up an unwanted infant anonymously without fear of arrest or prosecution. As long as there are no signs of intentional abuse on the baby, no information is required of the person leaving a baby.

The baby in Indiana must be no older than 30 days. States vary on this maximum age from 72 hours to 90 days old.

The box in Salem is located at the Washington County Ambulance Service (WCAS), 1013 Webb Street, where it is mounted on the outside of the building.

There are 134 Safe Haven Boxes in Indiana. The box is climate controlled and has several alarms, according to Mike Spurgeon, assistant director of WCAS. The director of the ambulance service is Tony Floyd.

The box is tested once a week and cleaned as needed. This is required by Indiana code 1C 31-34-2.5. Emergency custody of certain abandoned children is also covered by this code.

The baby box in Salem was installed in April of 2022. Spurgeon said, “It has not been used”.

The purpose of these boxes is for a mother who may be overwhelmed by her circumstances to place the baby in the box in a safe environment.

An alarm is on a 90-second delay, giving the mother or whoever opened the door of the box time to leave and remain anonymous.

The alarm sounds and dispatch is also notified that a baby is in the box. The child is removed by emergency personnel through the plexiglas door inside the building.

This Safe Haven Box is available 24 hours/7 days a week.

There is an orange plastic bag in the baby box that contains an optional form that the person surrendering the baby can fill it out. There is a line for the mother’s and father’s names. There is also a place to record the child’s birthday and any conditions that rescuers should be aware of. This form can be mailed in.

After the baby is surrendered, he/she is examined and given medical treatment, if needed. The Indiana Department of Child Services will take the baby into custody through Child Protective Services or a Licensed Child Placing Agency (LCPA) where it will be placed with a caregiver.

The box in Salem is dedicated to Cairo Jordan, who’s name was unknown at the time the box was installed.

The national headquarters for Safe Haven Baby Boxes is in Woodburn, Indiana. They are located northwest of Fort Wayne, where the boxes are manufactured.

So far, fifty babies have been placed in these boxes, and a total of 150 babies surrendered in the 19 states that have this program.

The box costs $15,000, plus there is a $500 annual use fee. It may cost in the neighborhood of $5,000 to $7,000 for installations, alarms, permits, and electrical hookups. The box can be picked up at the factory to save shipping fees.

The program is supported completely by private funding.

A national crisis number, 1-886-99BABY1 (1-866-992-2291), is available to distraught mothers. It is available 24/7.

Contributions to the program can be sent to SHBB, P.O. Box 185, Woodburn, IN. 46797.

Staff photos by Jerry Curry.

Instructions for using the box are posted near the entry door to the baby box.

This photo shows the interior of the baby box.

The Washington Co. Ambulance Service is located at 1013 Webb St., Salem.

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Washington County – Wednesday, September 4, 2024:  Two Washington County residents were arrested on felony drug dealing charges following an investigation by the Sellersburg Post All Crimes Policing (ACP) squad. 

The investigation began in August of this year with Trooper Kyle Taylor received information of possible drug activity at a Smith Road address in rural eastern Washington County.  As a result of information gained during the investigation, Trooper Taylor requested and received a search warrant for the address.  On Wednesday, Trooper Taylor and other members of the Sellersburg ACP squad executed the search warrant.   During the search officers located suspected methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, currency, marijuana, and a firearm. 

As a result of the investigation and search, officers arrested the occupants, Stephen G. Cole and Tina Albertson.  Cole and Albertson were transported to the Washington County Jail without incident, their charges are listed below:

Stephen G. Cole, 61, Scottsburg:

1. Dealing Methamphetamine - Level 2 Felony
2. Possession of Methamphetamine - Level 4 Felony
3. Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by Serious Violent Felon - Level 4 Felony
4. Cultivation of Marijuana - A misdemeanor
5. Possession of Marijuana  -A Misdemeanor
6. Possession of Paraphernalia-  A Misdemeanor

Tina Albertson, 57, Scottsburg

1. Dealing Methamphetamine  -Level 2 Felony
2. Possession of Methamphetamine -Level 4 Felony
3. Unlawful Possession of Syringe - Level 6 Felony
4. Cultivation Marijuana  -A misdemeanor
5. Possession of Marijuana - A Misdemeanor
6. Possession of Paraphernalia -A Misdemeanor

 “All subjects are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.”

Photos not available because sheriff's department inmate roster is offline for maintenance.

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Creating Avenues For Student Transformation (CAST) in Washington County is offering two wonderful events to raise funds. CAST provides tutoring and mentoring to county students. All proceeds will benefit CAST and Southern Indiana Dyslexia Resource Center.

"The Most Magical Raffle on Earth"


Tickets are on sale now for “The Most Magical Raffle On Earth.”

The grand prize includes $2,000 in Disney gift cards.

The Local Gift Card bundle features gift cards donated by local businesses.  They include Raquel’s Restaurant, Born, El Maguey, Nice’s Family Diner, Totally Baked, Lisa’s Farmhouse Market, Poppy Lane Bakery, Tees & Tumblers and more.

A bundle of four Big Splash tickets is also up for grabs.

Tickets are $20 apiece or three tickets for $50.  Those wanting tickets may stop by the CAST any weekday in September between 9 a.m. and 12 noon or by appointment. The CAST office is located at 1707 N. Shelby Street, Suite 107, Salem.

Tickets can also be purchased from Kim Scifres, Allison Ezzell, Lorie Campbell, Ashley Hubbard, Cassie Summers-Corp, Micah Gilliam or Steve Corp.  Cash, checks, credit cards or Venmo will be accepted.

The drawing for the raffle winners will occur at the CAST office at 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 30.

Please call 812-620-7907 or email castwashco.org for more information.

"A Night At The Salem Speedway"

CAST is hosting “A Night At The Salem Speedway” on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 5 p.m. that will feature dinner and racing at the historic track. The speedway is located at 2729 W. State Road 56, Salem.

Sponsors are needed, and all proceeds will benefit CAST, a 501c3 non-profit organization.

According to Cassie Corp, CAST director, sponsors’  “tax-deductible contributions for this event will help students in Washington County and beyond!”

“Dyslexia is a specific learning disability related to reading. Studies show up to 20% of the population in the United States is affected at some level with dyslexia. Children who are unable to read by the third grade are more likely to drop out of school.”

“Help our students achieve their full potential by supporting this effort,” she added.

Sponsorship levels include the following: Banner Sponsors—$2,500:  Media recognition, event admission, a table for eight, banner recognition. Winner’s Circle—$1,000:  Media recognition, event admission, table for eight. Fast Track—$500:  Media recognition, event admission, table for four. Rev Your Engine—$250:  Media recognition, event admission, table for two. Individual Tickets—$50:  Reserved seats for the night’s race, a VIP armband with access to the High Banks Club, and a fully catered dinner (Kids 12 and under are free with the purchase of an adult ticket).

Please email Cassie Corp at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 812-620-7907 to become a sponsor or to RSVP for tickets to the event.

• Campbellsburg
• Festival
• Parade

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The 30th annual Campbellsburg Country Festival Parade will be held on Sunday, September 21st, at 2 p.m. Registration will be at the Campbellsburg Ball Park located at 255 N Grant St. from 12 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. Line-up will be from 12 p.m. until the beginning of the parade. Come join the Campbellsburg community for a day of fun!

Participants may register in advance by Clicking Here.

For more information, contact Kayce Johnson at (812) 620-6118 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..