Fifteen hours after being born, a baby girl was left at an Orange County fire station.
It’s a sad thing that happens sometimes.
Not a good thought, but luckily, this story turns out happy.
When the baby, named Naomi, was left there, four firefighters took her in right away and cared for her with lots of love.
It’s amazing that her mom was brave and got help, and because of that, baby Naomi got all she needed.
Naomi’s mom talked to Capt. Daryll Milliot and asked him to take her baby, and he did.
She was the first baby surrendered in Orange County.
Alongside Milliot, three other firefighters on duty helped – Tyler Green, Michael de Leon, and Shawn Stacy.
“At first, you think, ‘Why would someone leave their baby?’ But then, if you really think about it,” said de Leon, who was surprised at first, “it’s actually brave and heroic.”
Safe surrender programs in the United States are designed to provide a safe and legal way for parents to surrender their newborns, usually within a certain timeframe after birth, without facing legal consequences.
These programs allow parents who might feel unable to care for their babies to surrender them at designated safe locations, such as hospitals, fire stations, or police stations.
By bringing the baby to these designated spots, the parent or guardian can hand over the infant to authorities without fear of prosecution for abandonment.
The main goal of safe surrender programs is to protect the well-being of the newborn by ensuring they are placed in a safe environment and given proper care.
It also offers support and resources to the parents during this difficult time.
Even the bravest and toughest firefighters have a soft spot for such an adorable baby.
A social worker from California was on the way to take Naomi, but before they arrived, the four firefighters fell in love with the sweet baby girl.
While taking care of her temporarily, they named her and called themselves her uncles.
They wanted to be professional in the tough situation and do whatever they could.
It’s a sad situation, but Naomi couldn’t have been in better hands. And guess what? There’s a happy ending!
She went to live with her new lovely parents, Krysten and Kurt Snyder, who also had an older brother for her. And, of course, she still has her four firefighter uncles.
After that event, the firefighters still talked about the moment.
“This is one of the few things in my 25 years of being a firefighter where it’s just the best ending,” said Milliot.
Naomi’s mother came back to the fire department with her nine months after she was left there.
“It’s so unusual and rare, something I never thought I’d do,” said Milliot.
The Orange County team who looked after her are still part of Naomi’s life and even went to her adoption ceremony.
“This is one of the best moments in my career,” de Leon said.
“Being at that ceremony and seeing her again… Because, you know, when it happens, you don’t know what will happen to the baby.”
“It’s a chance for us to tell her about her mom and how brave she was,” Naomi’s mother said proudly and gratefully. She and her husband always planned to adopt rather than have their own children.
Even after almost a year, little Naomi still has a big impact on the firefighters who care for her. Their faces light up when they see her.
We couldn’t be happier with how this beautiful story has ended.
Learn more about this beautiful story by watching the video below!
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