In communities across the country, Safe Haven laws exist to protect newborns and provide desperate parents with a legal, safe alternative to abandonment. Yet for many people, these lifesaving laws remain unknown.

For Fort Myers Girl Scout Kaylee Jones, raising awareness about this issue became the focus of her Girl Scout Gold Award project — and ultimately led her to advocate for legislative change across the state of Florida.

Her project, “Hope for the Helpless,” sought to address the ongoing issue of infant abandonment by educating the public about Florida’s Safe Haven law and advocating for the inclusion of Safe Haven Baby Boxes as a legal surrender option.

Through nearly three years of research, advocacy, public speaking, and community outreach, Jones helped bring attention to an issue that she says often remains hidden in public conversation.

Understanding the Problem

Infant abandonment and neonaticide remain serious concerns in the United States. Research shows the risk of homicide is highest on the first day of life. Studies estimate around 85 newborns per year are killed or left to die by parents, which is why all 50 states have enacted Safe Haven laws allowing parents to safely surrender newborns without criminal penalty.

Despite these laws, many people remain unaware of how the law works or where they can safely surrender a baby.

“Even though there’s a Safe Haven law, there are still abandoned infant deaths either because the mother doesn’t know about the law or is too scared to surrender her baby in person,” Jones said in her final report.

Safe Haven Baby Boxes offer an additional option. Installed in fire stations or hospitals, the secure, climate-controlled boxes allow a parent to anonymously surrender a newborn. When the door is closed, a silent alarm alerts first responders inside the building to immediately retrieve the infant and begin care.

Driven By A Personal Connection

For Kaylee, the issue is deeply personal.

She was adopted after her birth parents faced a crisis pregnancy as teenagers.

“My birth parents tried to care for me for two months before placing me for adoption,” Jones said. “Learning about Safe Haven laws and hearing stories of crisis pregnancies made me more sympathetic to mothers and babies facing these situations.”

That personal connection fueled her determination to educate the public and advocate for expanded Safe Haven protections.

Taking Advocacy to the State Level

Kaylee began her project in June 2023 by researching Safe Haven Baby Boxes and contacting elected officials about the possibility of installing one in Fort Myers.

What began as a local initiative quickly expanded into statewide advocacy.

Encouraged by local leaders, Jones shifted her focus toward supporting legislation that would formally include Safe Haven Baby Boxes within Florida’s Safe Haven law.

Over the course of the project, she:

• Met with local and state elected officials
• Spoke at the Legislative Delegation meeting in Fort Myers
• Delivered speeches before the Florida Senate in Tallahassee in both 2024 and 2025
• Addressed community leaders at the Business People United Political Action Committee (BUPAC)
• Advocated at the Lee County School Board for Safe Haven awareness materials in high schools

She also met with lawmakers, delivered informational binders to legislative offices, and encouraged community members to contact their representatives in support of the legislation.

Reaching Thousands Through Media

Jones’ efforts extended beyond government meetings.

Her project reached thousands through local media coverage and public awareness campaigns, including:

• A televised interview on WINK News
• Coverage in Naples Press
• A radio appearance on “The Drive at Five” with Trey Radel
• Educational presentations in schools and community meetings
• Public outreach through posters, flyers, and social media

She also visited the headquarters of Safe Haven Baby Boxes in Indiana multiple times to learn more about the program and document the issue through video storytelling.

Jones later produced an informational YouTube video explaining Safe Haven laws and how Baby Boxes work, helping expand awareness beyond Southwest Florida.

Educating the Community

Kaylee conducted surveys during her outreach which revealed just how little awareness existed before her presentations.

Among those she spoke with:

• 73% had never heard of Safe Haven Baby Boxes
• 100% did not know where the nearest Baby Box was located

After hearing her presentations, every participant surveyed was able to correctly answer questions about the Safe Haven law and the safe surrender options available in Florida.

Kaylee said she hopes that knowledge will continue to spread through families and communities.

“If people know about these options,” she said, “it could save a baby’s life and prevent a mother in crisis from making a desperate decision.”

Creating Lasting Change

One of the most lasting outcomes of Jones’ project came in January 2026 when Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson issued a proclamation establishing the first week of January as Safe Haven Awareness Week.

The proclamation ensures that awareness efforts will continue annually even after Jones graduates.

Her work also contributed to broader advocacy efforts that successfully pushed for Safe Haven Baby Boxes to be included in Florida law, helping reduce legal barriers for communities interested in installing them in the future.

Overcoming Challenges

Kaylee faced significant challenges during the project, including misinformation about Baby Boxes and difficulties securing local approval for installation.

Rather than ending her efforts, those challenges pushed her to focus more heavily on education and policy change.

“I thought this would be a simple thing to accomplish,” she reflected. “But the adversity made me more determined to keep spreading information and advocating for change.”

A Gold Award With Lasting Impact

The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest honor in Girl Scouting, recognizing projects that create sustainable change and address community needs. Only 6% of eligible Girl Scouts earn the award by identifying a community issue, creating a unique and sustainable solution, leading a team, measuring the project’s impact, and educating the public about their cause.

Through “Hope for the Helpless,” Kaylee demonstrated leadership, resilience, and a commitment to public service.

Her work continues to educate communities about Safe Haven laws and provide hope for parents in crisis.

And most importantly, it carries a message that Jones believes every community should hear: Community awareness saves lives.