The Reporter newspaper, Camdenton Missouri

The Reporter covers Miller, Morgan and Camden County in Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks and is published once per week on Wednesdays.

Published June 10, 2026

Second Safe Haven Baby Box coming to lake

LAKE OF THE OZARKS - State Representative Jeff Vernetti has announced that the fifteenth Safe Haven Baby Box in Missouri will be installed at the Lake Ozark Fire Protection District in Lake Ozark.

The Fire Protection District covers parts of Camden and Miller Counties and has been serving and protecting the Lake of the Ozarks community since 1952. The box is scheduled to be installed and unveiled in the Fall of 2026.

This is the second Safe Haven Baby Box installed in Camden County, joining the first location which was recently installed at Mid-County Fire Protection District in Camdenton and will be operational this summer.

Safe Haven Baby Boxes provide a secure, anonymous, and temperature-controlled environment for parents in crisis to safely surrender newborns up to 45 days old, in accordance with Missouri’s Safe Haven law.

When a baby is placed in the box, an alert is immediately sent to first responders ensuring prompt medical care.

Rep. Vernetti personally raised over $17,000 from the Osage Nation to fully fund the acquisition and installation of the box.

In addition, Otto Construction has committed to installing the Safe Haven Baby Box and will donate labor and services for the project, said Vernetti.

“It is truly an honor to be able to once again work with area fire protection officials and business professionals to provide another potentially life-saving tool for our community,” said Representative Jeff Vernetti, R-Camdenton. “Our Lake of the Ozarks community is always so generous with their talents and treasures, they always seem willing to step forward and help, especially when it comes to protecting the lives of the innocent. I am so grateful that we will have not just one but two Safe Haven Baby Boxes in our area and I am proud to play a part in this process.”

According to Vernetti, Jerry Blomberg, Lake Ozark Fire Chief stated: “The Lake Ozark Fire Protection District is excited to partner with Representative Vernetti and the Osage Nation on this initiative. The Safe Haven project will provide a better alternative to protect the most vulnerable citizens in a difficult time for a parent. While we already serve as a location to meet this need, this allows the District to more completely meet the need, allowing a truly anonymous surrender of an infant, and allows us to serve that need when crews are working with other incidents.”

“Our commitment to the Lake of the Ozarks extends far beyond economic development and entertainment," said Kimberly Pearson, CEO of Osage Casinos. “Being a good neighbor means investing in the health, safety and well-being of the communities we serve. The donation of this Safe Haven Baby Boxes reflects our belief that every child deserves a chance and that families should have access to safe, compassionate resources during times of crisis. We are proud to support the first responders and community leaders who work every day to protect and strengthen the Lake area.”

Tony Otto of Otto Construction added, “Otto Construction is happy to participate in this amazing project and we remain dedicated to the betterment of the entire Lake of the Ozarks community.”
This second box in Camden County will expand access to a compassionate resource for families facing difficult circumstances, joining the growing network of Safe Haven Baby Boxes across Missouri.

For more information about Safe Haven Baby Boxes, visit www.shbb.org

The Osage Nation is currently seeking permission from the Federal Government to place a Casino on the land in Lake Ozark that formerly housed a Denny’s restaurant.

If it succeeds, all of the profit from the casino will benefit the Osage Nation Indians. The only money the lake area and the state of Missouri will get from the casino will be what the Osage Nation decides to donate. The state or county will receive no tax money or other income from the casino.