BLACKFOOT, Idaho — An 18-year-old woman is facing criminal charges after a deceased infant was found in a Safe Haven Baby Box at the Grove Creek Medical Center. Angela N. Newberry has been charged with felony failure to report a death, according to the Blackfoot Police Department. The disturbing discovery was made after an alarm alerted the medical staff on October 13.
Upon responding to the alarm, hospital staff found the newborn had already expired before being placed in the safe surrender site. The Safe Haven Baby Box is designed to allow the anonymous, safe surrender of newborns who are unharmed and healthy, in compliance with Idaho state law which allows custodial parents to relinquish babies up to 30 days old.
The incident did not meet the legal requirements for a safe surrender, as the infant was not alive at the time of abandonment. Authorities swiftly initiated an investigation which subsequently involved the Twin Falls Police Department, leading to Newberry’s identification as the person who left the deceased infant.
Officials arrested Newberry following comprehensive investigative efforts by the Blackfoot – Bingham Joint Detective Division. She was taken into custody under a Bingham County warrant, charged with failing to notify law enforcement and the coroner about the death. Newberry is currently being held at Bingham County Jail.
Details surrounding the case remain scarce as the investigation continues, with officials citing the ongoing probe and potential for further charges. The use of the Safe Haven Baby Box at the hospital, which was first installed in July, represents Idaho’s initial foray into providing a discreet system for parents to safely surrender their newborns.
The program was initiated to prevent tragic outcomes such as this and offer distressed mothers a viable and secure option for surrendering infants they cannot care for. In light of the recent events, local authorities are reinforcing awareness about the resources available for safe infant surrender.
Community members in Blackfoot are grappling with the unsettling nature of the case, but are reminded of the importance of using the designated safe haven facilities intended to protect the welfare of newborns. This unfortunate incident underscores the critical need for awareness and adherence to the stipulations set by Idaho’s Safe Haven laws to ensure both the safety of the infants and the legal protection of the surrendering parent.