Justice with a Heart: Inside the Safe Baby Court Program Breaking Cycles of Trauma for Families in Need

By Mike Sparks, 10-24-25

I had the opportunity this morning to visit the Rutherford County Safe Baby Court (SBC) alongside Rutherford County Commissioners Romel McMurry and Rick Hall, as well as the leadership of Leadership Rutherford. We witnessed firsthand how this court is transforming lives by breaking cycles of trauma and guiding parents toward lasting recovery and reunification with their children.

Established in 2020 under the leadership of Juvenile Court Judge Travis Lampley, this specialized court serves families with infants and toddlers under age three who are at risk due to substance abuse, housing instability, and other challenges. Its mission is both simple and powerful: helping parents create safe, nurturing homes while minimizing the trauma of family separation.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

”Rarely do I get a chance to smile in this courtroom—

but today I get a chance to smile as I see lives changed and family’s reunited as they complete this program,” said Judge Travis Lampley.

Local attorney and Safe Baby Court advocate Jimmy Richardson shared an old adage that I thought was very touching, “A man fell into a deep hole and couldn’t get out. As he called for help, different people passed by.
A doctor came by, wrote a prescription, threw it down the hole, and walked on.
A priest came by, said a prayer for the man, and continued on his way.
Then a friend came by. When he saw the man in the hole, he jumped down into the hole with him.
The man in the hole said, “What are you doing?! Now we’re both stuck down here!” The friend replied, “Yes, but I’ve been down here before, and I know the way out.”
This story beautifully illustrates the difference between sympathy and empathy. The doctor and priest tried to help from above, from a safe distance. But the friend was willing to meet the man where he was—in the darkness, in the struggle—because he had been there himself and could guide him out. It’s about the power of shared experience and truly understanding what someone is going through, not just offering solutions from afar.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​“

Goals and Operation
Unlike traditional juvenile courts, Safe Baby Court doesn’t focus on punishment—it focuses on prevention and healing. Parents entering the program are matched with wraparound services such as parenting education, addiction counseling, housing and employment support, and regular mentorship through weekly court meetings. Each participant sets personal goals around sobriety, employment, and parenting quality. Progress is reviewed frequently, promoting accountability with compassion.

In Rutherford County, the program stands out because it deals primarily with non-custodial cases—meaning children remain with trusted relatives or stay in supervised home environments while parents work through their recovery plan. This approach sharply reduces the need for foster care placement, sparing children from the trauma of entering unfamiliar homes.

Measurable Impact
According to Tennessee’s 2024 and 2025 Safe Baby Court reports, Rutherford County served 19 families and 31 children during 2023 alone. Families participating in the court consistently showed shorter times away from their children and higher rates of reunification compared to traditional systems. Many parents successfully completed substance recovery or gained stable employment through coordinated support from community partners.

Recent data also suggests an improvement in early childhood stability and attachment outcomes, strengthening bonds between parents and young children. By pairing consistent judicial oversight with mental health and social services, Rutherford County’s Safe Baby Court has become a model for prevention-focused family strengthening.

Stories of Transformation
Perhaps the program’s success is best seen through its graduates. Judge Donna Scott Davenport presided over Rutherford County’s first graduation, celebrating a mother who regained custody of her two sons after achieving sobriety, full-time employment, and stable housing. In her remarks, Judge Davenport praised the mother’s resilience: “You got that job. You got a home. You got everything. And we are so proud of you”. Such stories underscore how empathy and structure—rather than punitive action—can restore families.

“I’m so grateful for Judge Lampley, Carrie and her staff for their hard work on behalf of families who rarely get a second chance

to rebuild their lives. This program makes an incredible difference in a child’s long-term well-being and mental health,” said Commissioner Rick Hall. After serving 25 years in law enforcement, I’ve seen too many children placed in DCS custody and moved across Tennessee—far from everyone and everything familiar—for months or even years. Programs like this change that. With proper supervision, children can maintain a relationship with their parents and see firsthand that, through hard work and dedication, families can be reunited.”

“Safe baby court is a program that allows others another

chance to get it right, said Commissioner Romel McMurry. It’s Gods grace and mercy that gets us through tough times and when he gives it to us, we should seize opportunity to act up on it. Safe baby court is a way of him saying, I got you my child.”

A Model for the Future
Judge Lampley and program coordinator Carrie Niederhauser have emphasized that Safe Baby Court’s model could reshape early intervention statewide. By uniting courts, social workers, and local nonprofits, it creates a “safety network” around parents before crises become irreparable. The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts has called programs like Rutherford County’s “a proven investment” in stronger families and safer communities.

Meet The Staff

At Thriving Together TN, our dedicated team brings personal experience, professional expertise, and compassionate support to families navigating the child welfare system. Each member is committed to promoting stability, health, and unity for children and families across Tennessee.

Carrie Niederhauser, LMSW
Founder & Executive Director

Carrie brings over two decades of experience in the child welfare system to Thriving Together TN. She founded the organization to create opportunities that promote stability, health, and unity, with a vision to foster continued growth and provide families with hope, guidance, and essential resources.

Amberly Chapman, CPRS, CFSS
Safe Baby Court Coordinator

With personal experience in the child welfare system and a background in long-term recovery, Amberly has supported Safe Baby Court participants since 2022. She guides families through the court system and DCS, connects them with local services, facilitates family team meetings, and collaborates with service providers to ensure continued progress.

Candy Blank, CPRS, CFSS
Safe Baby Court Certified Peer

Candy has firsthand experience in the child welfare system and over seven years in recovery. She provides compassionate support by helping individuals navigate the child welfare system, court process, and service connections to address addiction and recovery while ensuring families receive assistance to become nurturing, safe caregivers.

Lydia Price, CPRS
Safe Baby Court Coordinator, Cannon County

With personal experience in the child welfare system and long-term recovery, Lydia has been active in the recovery community for over seven years, including three years as a regional Lifeline Coordinator. She supports participants by helping them navigate the court system and DCS, facilitates family meetings, and works with community partners to promote family reunification.

Missy Hamilton Safe Baby Court Coordinator Henry County will soon come onboard.

In short, the Rutherford County Safe Baby Court shows what justice and grace can achieve when joined together. It doesn’t just return children to their parents—it restores parents to themselves, helping families heal, grow, and thrive right here in Middle Tennessee.