San Antonio Safe Haven Baby Boxes face delays as contract talks continue and installations are scaled back

Contract not finalized, construction cannot begin

San Antonio’s plan to add Safe Haven Baby Boxes at select fire stations has been delayed as contract negotiations remain unresolved, preventing construction and installation from moving forward. The first unit had been expected at Fire Station 24 by the end of February 2026, but the agreement required to proceed has not been completed.

The devices—also known as newborn safety devices—are designed to allow the anonymous surrender of an unharmed newborn. A parent places the infant into a secured, temperature-controlled compartment; the door locks and an alarm alerts personnel inside the station so the baby can be retrieved quickly.

Funding approved, but the project scope has changed

In 2023, the San Antonio City Council approved funding aimed at placing baby boxes at fire stations around the city. Since then, both the projected budget and the number of planned installations have shifted. City planning initially targeted 12 boxes, but the current plan calls for 10.

Budget estimates have also been revised as the City evaluated the costs of retrofitting existing fire stations. The project is now framed around a phased rollout, beginning with three locations and then assessing results before deciding whether—and how quickly—to expand.

• Original concept: 12 boxes, funded through the city budget process in 2023
• Current plan: 10 boxes, with three installed first
• First three identified sites: Fire Stations 24, 18 and 7

Why the timeline has slipped

City and fire department planning steps have included identifying suitable stations, completing architectural and site assessments, developing construction designs, obtaining contractor estimates, and securing permits. Officials have also pointed to legal and operational considerations tied to modifying public facilities, including ensuring the project meets required parameters before physical work begins.

Some stations considered for installation are older facilities, and station selection has been affected by broader planning for station replacements and departmental priorities. A change in leadership at the fire department also required a review of ongoing projects and program needs before proceeding.

The City’s phased approach calls for installing the first three boxes, then evaluating effectiveness before determining next steps.

Safe surrender remains legal without a box

Texas law allows a parent to surrender an unharmed infant younger than 60 days at designated locations such as fire stations and hospitals. The 2023 legislative update expanded legal options to include newborn safety devices at qualifying sites, but direct surrender at fire stations remains available even when a baby box is not installed.

For San Antonio, the immediate operational impact is that the city’s baby box network is still pending, while existing legal surrender options continue through in-person handoff at approved locations.