Mississippi Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner Andy Gipson will participate in a blessing ceremony for the first Safe Haven Baby Box to be placed at a Mississippi hospital today, Wednesday, January 24, at 1:00 p.m. at the Simpson General Hospital in Mendenhall. This is the second such box in the state of Mississippi, but the first of its kind at a hospital.
The Safe Haven Baby Box, located at Simpson General Hospital, will be the first of its kind to be placed at an emergency services hospital and health care facility in the state. This initiative allows for the legal, safe surrender of a baby with complete anonymity for care and eventual adoption. The Safe Haven Baby Box was funded entirely by private donations from the Mendenhall and Simpson County community to Simpson General Hospital.
Prior to serving as Agriculture Commissioner, in 2018, then-State Representative Gipson served as the Committee Chairman who handled and passed House Bill 1510 resulting in the United States Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade. The Dobbs decision rendered by the court in 2022 has resulted in ending abortion on demand in Mississippi and many other states nationwide, saving thousands of babies’ lives.
Who: Andy Gipson, Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce
What: Blessing Ceremony for Safe Haven Baby Box
When: Wednesday, January 24, 2024; 1:00 p.m.
Where: Simpson General Hospital
1842 Simpson Hwy 149, Mendenhall, MS 39114