Canada’s second infant safe surrender site coming to rural Manitoba fire hall
A fire hall in a rural Manitoba community is set to become home to the country’s second safe surrender site for infants.
Called Hope’s Cradle, the site is a temperature-controlled bassinet where a parent or caregiver can surrender an infant.
The first in Canada was installed at a fire hall in Strathmore, Alta. in December 2021. The second is being installed at the Landmark Fire Hall in the Rural Municipality of Taché.
“Everybody within the fire department, within the RM administration have all embraced it, and we're just happy to be able to provide that type of service if and when required,” RM of Taché Fire Chief Allan Rau told CTV News Winnipeg.
Hope’s Cradle is an initiative by Gems for Gems, a Calgary non-profit aimed at ending the cycle of domestic violence by empowering survivors.
(Source: Taché Fire/Facebook)
How it works - the cradle is opened by a small, exterior door at the fire hall, which immediately sets off a silent alarm and alerts first responders, who will be dispatched immediately. A built-in camera allows them to monitor the baby until help arrives.
The parent or caregiver receives an envelope with documentation informing them of their rights, detailing how the process works, a list of resources as well as a form to send in the baby’s medical history. There is also a guided letter where they can write a message to their baby and then send it anonymously to the fire hall afterward, if they choose.
They then have two to three minutes to place the baby inside the cradle and leave before help arrives. Once the door is closed, it cannot be reopened. The mother will have 30 days to reclaim their child.
There are no cameras, and the process is meant to be anonymous.
“That is really the big difference maker and what we really believe will be the reason why women will choose Hope’s Cradle as opposed to what has been happening, which is ditches and dumpsters, which is obviously creating an unsafe environment for the baby,” explained Jordan Guildford, founder and CEO of Gems for Gems.
She notes they plan to install Hope’s Cradles in many more cities and towns across Canada. She said similar initiatives in the States have saved 1,600 lives.
“We need to make sure that this becomes widely accepted and accessible. Without that, I think we’re going to fall short of our goal.”
TRAGIC DISCOVERY INSPIRES SAFE SURRENDER SITE
Rau told CTV News the catalyst for the project came after the body of a newborn girl was found in a garbage bin in an alley in Winnipeg’s North End in June of 2022.
Jeanene Rosa Moar, 31, was charged with manslaughter and concealing the body of a child. Those charges were stayed in October.
READ MORE: Charges stayed in death of Winnipeg infant found in garbage bin
Life Culture executive director Susan Penner was deeply affected by case. The Steinbach-based organization advocates for the pro-life movement and beginning of life to end of life protection.
Memorial for Baby Moar from Friday June 10, 2022. (Source: Josh Crabb/CTV News)
Penner heard about the first Hope’s Cradle in Alberta, and felt it was in step with her organization’s work.
“I thought this would probably be a great resource to have in the province, in our area, in case other women are in that situation,” Penner said.
The organization approached Rau to see if a Hope’s Cradle could be installed in their municipality.
“I thought immediately that it was a great idea, and that I would pursue it with the administration and council to see if they would be willing to allow that to happen,” Rau said.
The safe surrender site came with a price tag of $20,000.
Life Culture started fundraising in November. Penner said it didn’t take long to reach their goal.
“I've done fundraising for years, and you always know when something resonates, when the money comes in quickly,” she said.
“It's a really tangible way to support women who are in these really desperate circumstances. It really brings up compassion in people.”
Life Culture executive director Susan Penner is pictured with Zach Ronaldson and Allan Ward, who installed a Hope's Cradle at the Landmark Fire Hall.
The initiative was eventually approved by the municipal council, and installation began by Gems for Gems Monday morning, and was finished two days later.
Rau said the cradle is now in a two-week trial phase and from there, they will decide when to put it into operation.
“We're very proud that we have that box, and as I previously stated, we hope it never gets used,” Rau said.
- With files from CTV's Danton Unger
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
Houston braces for flooding to worsen in wake of storms
High waters flooded neighborhoods around Houston on Saturday following heavy rains that have already resulted in crews rescuing hundreds of people from homes, rooftops and roads engulfed in murky water.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
‘We made them safer and more fun’: Here’s what’s new about e-scooters
Electric scooters (e-scooters) have been gaining popularity in the capital and this season comes with some changes and updates.
Hulk Hogan, hurricanes and a blockbuster recording: A week in review of the Trump hush money trial
Crucial witnesses took the stand in the second week of testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial, including a California lawyer who negotiated deals at the center of the case and a longtime adviser to the former president.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Canadian Auger-Aliassime reaches first Masters final in Madrid with another walkover
Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime has advanced to his first ATP Masters final, and he hasn't had to play all that much tennis to do it.