BLACKFOOT, ID – An 18-year-old woman has been arrested following the discovery of a deceased newborn inside a Safe Haven Baby Box at Grove Creek Medical Center, officials announced Thursday. Angela N. Newberry faces charges of felony failure to report a death to law enforcement.
Authorities disclosed that the incident unfolded on October 13, 2024, when an alarm was triggered at the medical center, situated around 250 miles east of Boise. Staff members quickly reacted to the alert, only to find that the infant had already died prior to being placed inside the designated safe haven.
The Safe Haven Baby Boxes are designed for legally and safely surrendering unharmed and healthy newborns. Idaho law permits custodial parents to anonymously hand over infants up to 30 days old without legal consequences. However, this situation did not align with those guidelines, officials confirmed.
The Blackfoot Police Department initially responded and conducted a preliminary investigation. This led to involvement from the Twin Falls Police Department as the case developed. After extensive inquiries, Newberry was identified as having left the deceased infant.
“Following thorough efforts by the Blackfoot – Bingham Joint Detective Division, we have placed 18-year-old Angela N. Newberry of Twin Falls into custody,” officials stated, noting she was arrested on a Bingham County warrant for failing to inform law enforcement and the coroner of the death. Newberry has been transferred to Bingham County Jail.
Due to the sensitive nature of the investigation and the possibility of additional charges, authorities have released minimal information.
The Safe Haven Baby Box at the hospital, established in July, marks Idaho’s first installation offering a discreet way for parents to leave infants safely. This effort seeks to prevent tragic outcomes by providing secure options for mothers in distress.
While the Blackfoot community grapples with the distressing details of this case, officials are reminding residents of the available resources for safe infant surrender. They urge those in need to utilize the secure options available to ensure the safety and welfare of newborns.
