Harlee S.

We need your help!

On Monday, October 4th we unexpectedly took in this beautiful girl. We opened our arms & welcomed her in as our own.

Our family member was faced with the heartbreaking fact that they’re unable to care for her. So we stepped in, in place of another outside family. With this difficult decision, the route we all chose, is keeping them involved instead of closing the case.

We were notified Monday October 4th 2021 at 230pm about the situation and she was born just shortly after 3pm. We had little to no time to jump on the wagon & make a decision fast. It was to walk or jump on; of course we chose to jump on.

The mom had a c-section, so baby stayed in the hospital with her & was released to me October 6th 2021. In order to take the baby, I had to do background check, house study, drug tests, etc. I of course passed.

The state has continued to make us jump through numerous hoops, but we are doing it.

On October 15th 2021, I was granted the EMERGENCY GUARDIANSHIP. This gave us a bit of security & a window for her biological parents to change their mind until December 10th, 2021.

On December 1st, I hired a lawyer out of Hudson to handle Ev’s case & he’s been phenomenal to work with. But, time is money & work ain’t free.

On December 9th 2021, I was granted FULL GUARDIANSHIP of Ev until she turns 18.

Fast Forward to September 30th 2022, life has been good I’ve worked amazingly with the biological parents to be involved up until this day. They asked if they could take her for a few hours, which I allowed. It would have been 330pm-700pm. They wanted to keep her overnight, which I said no. She isn’t used to them or anyone for a matter of fact except my household. She has a hard enough time going there for an hour let alone all night. The biological parents have now threatened to try to remove me as her guardian to take her back. She is 1 year old already, & now they decided they want her & can handle her. They do have to prove that I am unfit, and the best interests for Ev is no longer in my home .

Everleigh has been with me since birth. I was the first one to see her, feed her, change her. I brought her home from the hospital, provided everything for her, many sleepless nights, teething, crawling to walking, & talking. I’ve done it all. 365 days, I’ve spent with this babygirl. It took me weeks doing skin on skin with a baby that didn’t know me. She is now a mommy’s girl.

I am terrified of losing Ev for whatever reason it may be. Even though I didn’t birth her, or in their terms, “get her cut out of my stomach”, but I’ve been her mommy since day one. I will continue to fight through my teeth to keep this baby home.

I don’t have a criminal record. I don’t do drugs or associate with any. I don’t go out & run the streets. I don’t leave my kids with sitters. I leave for work & that’s it. I have my own business that I am able to run around my schedule. I have a daughter who’s 7, diagnosed with ASD that attends therapy & in dance. Who’s also homeschooled. I have a son who’s 5, diagnosed with ASD & Epilepsy that attends 40 hours a week of in home therapy. On top of baby Ev.

Since we brought Ev home, we have left her 3 times & it was a handful of hours each time.

My boyfriend, which would be the biological parents brother, has created an inseparable bond with Everleigh. He used to have a criminal record back in the day, prior to our relationship, that is expunged from his record due to good behavior. He is an amazing daddy to not just Ev but my other two kids as well. He gives me the flexibility to work, while he watches the babies.

We are reaching out to raise as much money as we are able to pay off Everleigh’s lawyer, & finalize the adoption. Adoption is about 10k all said and done.

The community has been overwhelmingly supportive between donating items & guiding us the correct way with words of encouragement.

It would mean a lot if you’re able to support us in anyway. If you’re unable to, that is fine. Support & love is the best gift we could ever receive.

I wish we had the words to express our gratitude, society is simply amazing.

Thank you for your time, please pray we keep our baby home, where she belongs.

As part of our adoption process, we have started a crowdfunding campaign. It may surprise you to hear that adoption related costs can easily total up to $35,000 or more. This is why we have set a goal of $10,000 to help ease the financial burden that often overwhelms adoptive parents.

We hope that by inviting you into this process, you will see yourself as part of the community we hope to build around our child as she grows up.

Thank you.