New Smyrna Beach Police Receive Bexley Box Donation

The New Smyrna Beach Police Department has received a 'Bexley Box' as a donation from the city's Walmart store, the agency announced on Wednesday. The box is intended to provide a resource to law enforcement for children experiencing trauma. The Bexley Box is a small cradle of sorts with items included to bring comfort to small children. Its namesake is Bexley Bridegan, who was two years old when her father was murdered in front of her on February 16, 2022 in Jacksonville Beach. He was fatally shot at his vehicle while Bexley was strapped into her car seat. According to a nonprofit organization founded by Bexley's mother Kirsten Bridegan, police were limited in what they could do to tend to Bexley. "The officers did their best to comfort Bexley, but had limited supplies on hand," their statement says. The New Smyrna Beach Walmart has contributed one Bexley Box to the New Smyrna Beach Police Department so that they can be better prepared if a similar tragedy occurs. The box comes with diapers, baby wipes, snacks, formula, sippy cups, stuffed animals, toys, and other items. "We are thankful to our local Walmart and The Bridegan Foundation for their generosity and commitment to helping Florida's law enforcement agencies better support some of our community's youngest and most vulnerable members," the NSBPD said.