Andrade celebrates opening of Highland Fire Department baby box honoring former Chief Bill Timmer

State Rep. Mike Andrade (D-Munster) joined the Highland Fire Department, Highland Rotary Club and Highland Town Council to celebrate the opening of a Safe Haven baby box at Highland Fire Station No. 1, 2901 Highway Avenue, Highland, IN 46322. Dedicated to the memory of former Highland Fire Chief Bill Timmer and funded by the Highland Rotary Club, Highland's baby box will allow mothers to surrender infants they are not able to care for to a temperature-controlled box that alerts fire station personnel when a baby is placed in the box.

In 2021, Andrade co-authored House Enrolled Act 1032, which permitted local public safety agencies and nonprofits to install and fund baby boxes.

“Thank you to the Highland Fire Department, Highland Rotary Club and Highland Town Council for coming together and making our Highland baby box a reality,” Andrade said. “Sometimes, new mothers simply do not have the financial or personal ability to care for their child, but they want to ensure their baby will be cared for and placed with a foster or permanent family. Highland's new baby box will allow our area moms to make that decision without shame and with full peace of mind as to their infant's safety. After co-authoring the 2021 law that made baby boxes possible, it warms my heart that the community I represent now has our own baby box.

“I am proud that Highland's baby box is dedicated to former Fire Chief Bill Timmer. His legacy of keeping our community safe will serve as a meaningful reminder as we strive to take the best care of any infants surrendered to Fire Station No. 1.”