24 years after their abandonment, 2 baby boys, Ephariam and Jacob, will finally receive headstones, dedicated by He Knows Your Name ministry. This event will publicly honor 2 baby boys who were abandoned prior to, and soon after, the passing of the Safe Haven Law in 2000. This event will be held Monday, July 1st at 2:00 PM at Washington Park East Cemetery (10612 E Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46229). The abandonment of these 2 boys changed the landscape of Indiana, and our country. The event will collaborate with supporting agencies who have helped in stopping the abandonment of babies in our nation. Abandonment is criminal, but safely surrendering under the Safe Haven Law is a legal resource to moms in crisis, and saves babies lives.
Since education and awareness around the Safe Haven Law and Safe Haven Baby Boxes(Indiana leads the nation with over 125 boxes, with 28 Box surrenders in Indiana since 2017), and has not had a single deceased infant abandoned in the elements since December of 2014. The legacy on these 2 babies, are the results of the Safe Haven Law, and Safe Haven Baby Boxes. Baby Ephariam and Baby Jacob will be honored with individual headstones, and their stories told.
- 2000, January- Baby (Ephraim) found in Indianapolis hospital parking lot: Baby Ephariam Story
- 2000, July- Safe Haven Law takes effect in Indiana: Safe Haven Law
- 2001, December- Baby (Jacob) found in trash can: Baby Jacob Story
- 2009, October- Baby (Nicholas) found in dumpster, and claimed by Linda Znachko (He Knows Your Name: Baby Nicholas Story
- 2013, March- Baby (Moses) found in Indianapolis creek, claimed by Linda Znachko:
- 2014, December- Baby (Amelia) found at Eagle Creek Park, claimed by Linda Znachko, last baby to be found deceased and abandoned in the elements in Indiana: Baby Amelia Story
- 2016-April, First Safe Haven Baby Box installed: First SHBB Installed
- 2014-Present: since baby Amelia, no deceased baby has been found abandoned in the elements in Indiana.
- 2024, April- He Knows Your Name discovered both Baby Ephariam and Baby Jacob were without headstones, and buried at WPE cemetery (where most of the babies Linda Znachko has claimed are buried).
Speakers Included:
- Linda Znachko, Founder of He Knows Your Name
- Amy Brown, Former Legislative Liaison for the Family and Social Services Administration
- Monica Kelsey, Founder of Safe Haven Baby Boxes
“I claimed and named, Baby Amelia, found abandoned at Eagle Creek Park in December 2014. I am her voice & I carry her story. Amelia’s footprint, on the Safe Haven Baby Box logo points to the unique imprint of Jesus on the voiceless. Since Amelia’s finding and claiming, no baby has been found abandoned and deceased in the elements in the state of Indiana. Educating and bringing awareness to the Safe Haven Law and Safe Haven Baby Box through her legacy, is a fight for protection and justice for life across our nation. Most of the babies I have claimed, are laid to rest here at Washington Park East Cemetery. Discovering that these boys were here the whole time, and finally being able to honor their legacy, brings a sense of completion.”- Linda Znachko, Founder of He Knows Your Name
The double headstone dedication for these 2 boys, Ephariam and Jacob, will occur at Washington Park East Cemetery – 10612 E Washington Street Indianapolis, IN – on Monday, July 1st from 2:00 – 3:00 PM. The media and the public are invited to attend.
“It’s our pleasure to serve women in crisis and they trust us to provide hope. When we placed baby boxes in our home state of Indiana, we ended deadly infant abandonments. We offer support that no other organization does through safe anonymous surrender.”- Monica Kelsey, Founder of Safe Haven Baby Boxes
“It was an honor to play a small role on the passage of the Safe Haven Law in Indiana in 2000. I am honored to memorialize these babies, Ephariam and Jacob, 24 years later. Their precious lives, though tragically lost, were the impetus for a statewide movement that has protected countless babies and their biological parents. “- Amy Brown (Former Legislative Liaison for the Family and Social Services.
Znachko has personally claimed 52 babies during her 15 years of service to ensure they are laid to rest with dignity. Many of these babies are buried at Washington Park East Cemetery. When Linda learned of these 2 boys without headstones, she wanted to honor them, and recognize the legacy on their lives as the Safe Haven Law, and how their legacy has shaped Indiana. Znachko is hosting the July 1st ceremony to share about the legacy of baby Ephariam and baby Jacob while raising awareness and education around the Safe Haven Law and Safe Haven Baby Boxes. It is her belief that it is never too late to honor life with a headstone.