Firefighters celebrate birthday of Safe Haven baby abandoned at fire station… 18 years ago!

The girl was dropped off at a fire station in Clermont, Florida, 18 years ago as part of the state’s Safe Haven program, which aims to save the lives of newborns at risk of abandonment. The program allows parents to anonymously bring infants under a certain age to specific, safe locations, rather than abandoning them when they are unable to parent. This little girl, Colleen Katich, just graduated from high school and was honored by the fire station on Facebook.

“(Eighteen) years ago, Colleen was dropped off at Station 112 in Clermont as part of the County Safe Haven,” the Lake County Fire Department wrote. “Fast forward, she just graduated high school and is thriving! She recently reunited with some of her heroes at Station 112 and even named an engine after her! Please join us in congratulating Colleen on her tremendous achievement. We’re so proud of you!”

“They kept in touch with the fire department over the years. They sent us birthday and Christmas cards, and we followed her progress as she grew up,” said retired Battalion Chief Dan Miller of the Lake County Fire Department.

According to WFTV9, Colleen plans to start cosmetology school in the fall.

Every state has a version of a Safe Haven law. In Florida, parents can leave their newborn baby, no older than a week, in a hospital, ambulance station or fire station staffed by full-time emergency medical technicians, paramedics or firefighters. When a child is abandoned, the child receives medical attention and authorities arrange for the child to be transported to the nearest hospital that provides emergency services. The child will be placed for adoption and the biological parents will not be charged with abandonment.

Since its launch more than 20 years ago, Florida’s Safe Haven Newborn Project has reportedly saved more than 400 babies.

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