David Gallegos, a state senator for New Mexico’s District 41, emphasized the necessity of expanding Safe Haven Baby Boxes throughout the state following the recent death of a newborn abandoned in an Albuquerque dumpster. He made this statement in a press release.
"Yet again, it is a sad day when someone in our state's largest city did not feel safe enough to drop off their child at a hospital or fire station where the infant could have received life-affirming care," said Gallegos, New Mexico State Senator. "Rather, our state is now forced to endure another heart-wrenching and unnecessary loss of human life. Safe Haven Baby Boxes work which is why we must expand their accessibility throughout New Mexico and prevent additional tragedies such as this one in the future."
According to Koat, on April 22, a newborn was found deceased in a dumpster near Rio Grande Boulevard and Interstate 40 in northwest Albuquerque. The Albuquerque Police Department reported that individuals searching through the dumpster discovered the infant wrapped in a blanket and subsequently alerted security and called 911 around 3:45 a.m. The department's Crimes Against Children Unit has initiated an investigation into the incident, seeking public assistance to identify the mother and understand the circumstances surrounding the infant's death.
As per the New Mexico legislature, in 2023, New Mexico revised its Safe Haven for Infants Act through Senate Bill 360. This legislation allows parents or their designees to relinquish infants anonymously using infant safety devices known as Safe Haven Baby Boxes. These devices are installed at designated safe haven sites like hospitals and fire stations and are equipped with features such as temperature control and alarms to ensure infant safety and prompt care. The law aims to provide a secure and anonymous option for parents in crisis to surrender their newborns without fear of prosecution for abandonment or abuse.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes reports that as of January 2025, over 300 such boxes have been installed across 20 states in the U.S., each designed to allow anonymous and safe surrender of newborns. These boxes are temperature-controlled, ventilated, and equipped with an alarm system that notifies staff immediately upon use, ensuring prompt medical attention for the infant. The initiative has been credited with saving numerous lives by providing a secure alternative for parents unable to care for their newborns.
Gallegos is recognized as a longtime advocate for conservative values in New Mexico, committed to defending life, Second Amendment rights, and supporting the state’s vital oil and gas industry. With over two decades on the Eunice school board and a 30-year career in natural gas, he continues his service to his community as a construction manager.
