Baby Boxes in Tennessee

A safe haven baby box near you might seem like your only option if you can't be a parent right now, but it's just one path among several that can provide immediate safety for your baby.

With the right support and guidance, you can create a plan that not only ensures your child's well-being but also gives them—and you—the brightest possible future.

Schedule a consultation today and discover what no one tells you about the choices available to you beyond a safe haven baby box.

What Is a Safe Haven Baby Box?

A Safe Haven Baby Box is a secure, climate-controlled device installed on the exterior walls of fire stations and hospitals that allows parents to safely and anonymously surrender their newborns without fear of prosecution.

These temperature-controlled bassinets are designed with innovative safety features to ensure immediate care and protection of infants.

The exterior door locks automatically when a newborn is placed inside, and an interior door allows medical personnel to promptly retrieve the baby. The boxes operate 24/7, providing a lifeline for parents in crisis who feel unable to care for their newborns.

Where Can You Find a Safe Haven Baby Box When You Need One?

Safe haven baby boxes are typically located at fire stations, hospitals, and emergency medical facilities throughout Tennessee.

There are currently 19 Safe Haven Baby Box locations across Tennessee, with the goal of having at least one baby box near you in each of Tennessee's 95 counties.

Here are the current Tennessee Safe Haven Baby Box locations:

East Tennessee:

• Carter County EMS: 105 Iodent Way, Elizabethton, TN, 37643
• Unicoi County EMS Station #1: 630 Oneega Drive, Erwin, TN, 37650
• Morristown Fire Department Station #2: 1801 Buffalo Trail, Morristown, TN, 37814
• Fentress County EMS Station 1: 310 South Main St., Jamestown, TN, 38556
• Morgan County EMS: 288 Flat Fork Rd., Wartburg, TN, 37887
• Rocky Top Fire Department: 104 Lawson St., Rocky Top, TN, 37769
• Chattanooga Fire Station #6: 4510 Bonny Oaks Drive, Chattanooga, TN
• City of Athens Fire Department: 815 N. Jackson St., Athens, TN, 37303
• Louden Fire Department: 100 Cedar St. Loudon, TN, 37774
• Knoxville Fire Department Station #17: 4804 Western Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37921
• Kingston Fire Station #1: 125 W. Cumberland Street, Kingston, TN 37763
• Oak Ridge Fire Department Station #3: 333 Tuskeegee Drive, Oak Ridge, TN 37830

Middle Tennessee:

• Hendersonville Fire Station #5: 1166 Forest Retreat Road, Hendersonville, TN 37075
• Murfreesboro Fire Station: 1321 Medical Center Pkwy, Murfreesboro, TN, 37129
• Lawrenceburg Fire Department Station #1: 233 West Gaines Street, Lawrenceburg, TN 38464
• Fayetteville Fire Department: 300 Market St. W, Fayetteville, TN, 37334
• Tullahoma Fire Station: 613 S. Jackson St., Tullahoma, TN, 38388

West Tennessee:

• Jackson Fire Station: 550 Westwood Avenue, Jackson, TN 38301
• Atoka Fire Department: 108 Atoka McLaughlin Dr., Atoka, TN, 38004

Additional baby box fire station near you and other safe haven locations continue to be added throughout the state, so be sure to check the link above for up to date locations.

What Happens After I Use a Safe Haven Baby Box?

After placing your baby in a safe haven baby box near you, the process follows a specific legal framework. Medical personnel provide immediate care until emergency services transport the infant to the nearest hospital for evaluation.

Once medical professionals confirm the baby's health, the infant is transferred to Tennessee's Department of Children's Services and enters the foster care system for eventual adoption through the state's process.

However, with safe haven baby box surrender, you won't choose your child's adoptive family or receive updates about their wellbeing.

Your connection ends completely when you walk away from that baby box. State workers select the adoptive family without your input, and the anonymity means giving up any possibility of knowing how your child is doing.

Adoption Gives You Everything Baby Boxes Don't

While a safe baby box near you provides immediate safety, adoption through a licensed agency offers something much more comprehensive: the ability to create a thoughtful plan for your child's future while receiving support throughout the process.

With adoption, you choose your child's parents by reviewing profiles and meeting potential families whose values align with what you want for your baby. You'll receive crucial support including:

Most importantly, adoption allows for open communication if you choose it—receiving pictures and updates, ongoing contact with the adoptive family, or maintaining a relationship with your child as they grow. The level of openness is entirely your choice.

Unlike the finality of a baby box surrender, adoption creates a bridge between your decision and your ongoing concern for their wellbeing. You're actively participating in giving them the best possible start in life.

Your Adoption Will Remain Confidential

One of the main reasons people consider a baby drop off box near them is the promise of complete privacy and anonymity. The good news is that adoption can provide this same level of confidentiality while offering so much more.

When you work with American Adoptions, your privacy is completely protected.

Nobody will judge you, and your personal information is never shared without permission. You control what information you provide and to whom.

You can use only your first name or a different name entirely. You decide how much contact you want with the adoptive family.

Some birth mothers remain completely anonymous while receiving updates through the agency. Others develop ongoing relationships.

Your confidentiality is legally protected throughout the process. Licensed adoption agencies are bound by strict privacy laws and professional ethics.

With adoption, privacy doesn't mean abandoning your child to an unknown future—it means making a private, supported decision while maintaining your preferred level of anonymity.

Talk to a Tennessee Adoption Specialist—Privately and Without Pressure

If you're in Tennessee and considering your options, you don't have to decide alone or in crisis. Whether exploring a safe haven baby box near you or wondering about adoption, you deserve to understand all your choices.

Our Tennessee adoption specialists are available 24/7 to provide free, confidential support with no pressure or obligation. We ensure you have all the information needed to make the best decision for your situation.

Call 1-800-ADOPTION for immediate support or fill out our contact form to speak with someone who understands what you're experiencing. Your call is completely confidential, and our specialists provide compassionate guidance while respecting your privacy and right to make your own decisions.