Police Officer Adopts Opioid-Addicted Mother's Baby Instead Of Charging Her
When police officer Ryan Holets spotted two heroin addicts shooting up behind an Albuquerque convenience store, he had no idea that he'd have an overwhelming urge to adopt the pregnant woman's baby, but that's exactly what he did.
A sad sight
Holets was responding to a suspected theft at a convenience store when he spotted a man and woman behind the shop looking like they were about to shoot up.
Then, Holets, who was wearing his body camera, noticed that the woman, Crystal Champ, was pregnant.
“It’s not every day I see a sight like that and it just made me really sad,” he told CNN.
Champ, 35 told Holets she was eight months pregnant and desperately wanted someone to adopt her baby.
“You’re going to kill your baby,” Ryan says. “Why do you have to be doing that stuff?” It’s going to ruin your baby.”
At first, Champ, who had been experiencing homelessness for two years and struggled with addiction for much of her life, was defiant.
“I was like, how dare you judge me. You have no idea how hard this is,” Champ said. “I know what a horrible person I am and what a horrible situation I’m in.”
But then she looked at the police officer's eyes and saw kindness.
“He became a human being instead of a police officer."
Crystal Champ
He made a spontaneous decision
Holets decided not to charge the couple for drug possession and while showing them a picture of his wife and 10-month-old he offered to adopt the baby.
“I was led by God to take the chance,” Holets said.
“God brought us all together. I really don’t have any other way to explain it.”
Ryan Holets
The thing was, Holets hadn't told his wife Rebecca about it, so he drove to go meet her. Fortunately, she agreed right away. The couple already had four children and had been wanting to adopt another baby at some point in the future.
“He already knew my heart on the issue and he knew that I would be totally onboard with it,” Rebecca told CNN.
Hope was born addicted to opioids
Less than a month later, Champ gave birth to a baby girl and handed her over to Rebecca.
“I love you. Goodbye,” Rebecca recalled Crystal saying to the baby. “And then she turns to me and says ‘Take care of her for me.’ And I said, ‘I will take good care of her and you take good care of yourself.’ It was super emotional.”
Opioid-addicted babies are born every 15 minutes in the US, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Doctors had to ween the baby off the addition her mother passed on to her with morphine and methadone.
Finally, the baby, who the Holets family called Hope, went home.
Baby and birth mother go in separate directions
But the future didn't look so good for Champ after her daughter was born. She herself was given up for adoption and struggled with addiction throughout her teenage years. She'd tried to break her habit, but couldn't.
“I did give up. I just decided this was going to be my life,” said Champ, who was living in a tent alongside the article when the story was first published. “It just keeps coming back and ruining my life.”
Champ said she's happy her baby can grow up in a safe, stable, environment with the Holets family, who has agreed to keep the birth parents part of Hope's life.
“There needs to be more people like Ryan and his wife and their family in this world,” she said.
Doing our part
There is no blame that can be placed in this story, only sadness and yes, hope. Opioid addiction continues to rob so many of their lives, but there are countless people such as frontline workers and people like Holets who are helping.
Not all of us are able to adopt a baby from an opioid-addicted mother, nor is that always the solution to help them, but this generous act is a reminder to do more whenever possible -- instead of judging.
More uplifting news:
- Nurse Adopts Homeless Man To Help Him Get Life-Saving Heart Transplant
- Single Dad Adopts Baby Girl With Down Syndrome Who Was Rejected By 20 Families
- Domestic Abuse Survivor Marries The First Responder Who Saved Her Life
- Brooklyn Landlord Cancels Rent For Hundreds Of Tenants, Setting An Unprecedented Example For Others
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.