ST. LOUIS – After recent news that a newborn was safely and legally surrendered in a Missouri Safe Haven box, Lutheran Family and Children’s Services (LFCS) is reminding the community that confidential help and resources are available for expectant and new parents long before they reach a crisis point. This was the third such surrender since the state’s 2022 law, which expanded Missouri’s Safe Haven provisions to include the use of newborn safety devices.
A Safe Haven box is a secure, climate-controlled device that allows parents to surrender their newborns anonymously. While these boxes represent a vital, last-resort safety net, LFCS offers a wide range of free services designed to give parents support, clarity, and options during pregnancy and early parenthood.
“The safe surrender of another baby in Missouri is a powerful reminder of the overwhelming situations some parents face when they feel they have nowhere to turn,” said Melani Engel, Director of Adoption Services for LFCS. “We want to let parents know they are never alone. We have free, confidential counseling and resources to help them explore all options and create the best plan for themselves and their baby.”
LFCS provides comprehensive adoption services for individuals navigating an unplanned pregnancy or feeling uncertain about parenting, including:
- Unbiased Options Counseling. Trained counselors provide confidential guidance on parenting or adoption, helping parents make informed decisions without pressure.
- Personalized Planning. For those considering adoption, LFCS helps parents choose the right adoptive family, decide on the level of openness they want, and create a birth plan and hospital plan. For those choosing to parent, support includes connection to needed resources and parenting education.
- Lifelong Support. Free post-placement services are available to help birth parents process their emotions and find healing, reinforcing LFCS’s long-term commitment to their well-being.
“We want every parent in Missouri to know that they have choices and compassionate professionals who will stand beside them without judgment,” Engel said. “Our goal is to provide a safe space for parents to explore possibilities and make decisions that honor their needs and hopes for their child’s future.”
For more information about Lutheran Family and Children’s Services, including adoption services, visit https://lfcsmo.org/, call 866-326-LFCS, or email help@lfcs.org.
Lutheran Family and Children Services (LFCS) is a statewide agency headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, with regional offices in Columbia, Cape Girardeau, Springfield, Joplin, and Kansas City, as well as numerous satellite counseling sites. LFCS serves Missouri families from all walks of life in their greatest times of need. The nonprofit social services organization provides support in six critical areas to help children and families: adoption, behavioral health, parenting education, pregnancy support, foster care, and childcare at the Hilltop Child and Family Development Center. The programs in these areas empower individuals and families to develop healthy, supportive foundations for a lifetime. Services are open to anyone regardless of race, faith, national origin, or gender.