Kind-hearted NICU nurse adopts 14-year-old mother from TRIPLETS – after seeing the teen visit ONLY her babies in the hospital every day and realizing she had no support or family
- Katrina Mullen, 45, worked at Community Hospital North in Indianapolis
- Shariya Small’s triplets were in the NICU after giving birth at just 26 weeks
- The nurse said Shariya was alone for “days,” prompting her to intervene
A NICU nurse decided to adopt a 14-year-old mother of triplets after seeing her in the hospital day in and day out with no support or family.
Katrina Mullen was working in the neonatal intensive care unit at Community Hospital North in Indianapolis when she first met Shariya Small.
Shariya, who was in eighth grade at the time, gave birth to Serenitee, Samari and Sarayah at just 26 weeks, with the triplets — who weighed less than two pounds each — spending more than five months in the hospital.
Katrina, 45, said the young mother would be alone for “days” while at the babies’ bedside, prompting her to intervene.
Shariya, who was in eighth grade at the time, gave birth to Serenitee, Samari and Sarayah at just 26 weeks, with the triplets spending more than five months in the hospital
Katrina Mullen was working in the neonatal intensive care unit at Community Hospital North in Indianapolis when she first met Shariya
Katrina cared for Shariya and the babies for 668 days before officially adopting the teen in February
Katrina started supporting Shariya, but the youngster resisted at first.
But the nurse said she could start tearing down the walls after revealing that she herself had been a teenage mother who gave her own son up for adoption.
Shariya was still reluctant to share information about her family life, but Katrina gave her cell number shortly before the triplets were fired.
The pair regularly exchanged phone calls as the nurse offered her continued support to the often overwhelmed youngster.
But Katrina became concerned and drove more than an hour to Kokomo, Indiana, where Shariya was staying with a relative.
She said she was alarmed by the circumstances and told them Today“It wasn’t a place for her to raise babies.”
Newborn Samari, who had digestive problems since birth, was underweight and suffered from eczema.
He was hospitalized and later diagnosed with “failure to thrive” – defined as slowed or stopped physical growth.
Katrina said she had no hesitation in welcoming the young mother into her already busy household
The nurse said she could start tearing down the walls after revealing she herself had been a teenage mother who gave her own son up for adoption
Katrina initially set up a GoFundMe page in hopes of raising $20,000 to “build a financial buffer” for Shariya and her now two-year-old children
The Department of Social Affairs was notified of the situation and Katrina was stunned when she received a call from the social worker.
She told the publication, “The social worker said Shariya and her babies were being moved out of their home and then she said, ‘Shariya said she would love to come and live with you.’ Would you be willing?”
Katrina said she didn’t hesitate and welcomed the young mother into her already busy household with open arms.
Three of her children – SeQuayvion, 16, ShaKovon, 14, and JJ, seven – live at home and she is also a mother to two others Sevonté, 23, and Shai, 22.
Katrina cared for Shariya and the babies for 668 days before officially adopting the teen in February.
She initially set up a GoFundMe page hoping to raise $20,000 to “build a financial cushion” for Shariya, who wants to pursue a career in social work, and her now two-year-old children — but it has taken its toll. goal.
It said it was for Shariya’s “future college experience and adventures…as she grows into a strong wife and mother.”