Captain Daryll Milliot thought he knew what to expect from his shifts at the fire station: extinguishing fires and responding to emergencies. But one night, over a year ago, the completely unexpected happened.
Why a Woman Surrendered Her Newborn Baby to Firefighters
At an Orange County fire station, a young woman handed off her infant daughter. The little girl, named Naomi, was surrendered by her mother because the young woman knew she was not capable of taking care of her child. According to CBS Los Angeles, Naomi was the first baby to be safely surrendered at a fire station in Orange County that year.
“The first thing that comes to your mind is, ‘How can you surrender your baby?’ But then, when you really think about what happened, it’s really heroic and brave to do it,” one of the firefighters on duty, Michael de Leon, told NBC 4.
In addition to Milliot and de Leon, two others helped care for the child: Tyler Green and Shawn Stacy. All four men instantly loved the little girl, but their time with her was limited as a California social worker was already on their way to receive Naomi.
“This is so unique and rare, it’s something I never really thought that I would do,” Milliot said to CBS Los Angeles.
How Four Firefighters Became One Baby's "Unofficial Uncles"
While Naomi was in their care, they called themselves her uncles. They still consider themselves her uncles, even after Naomi moved in with her two new parents -- Krysten and Kurt Snyder -- and older brother.
This is one of the few things in my 25 years of being a fireman that it’s just the greatest ending of the story.
Captain Daryll Milliot
Nine months after she was dropped off, Naomi’s mother brought her back to the fire department to reunite with her four uncles. That wasn’t the only time they reunited with Naomi, though. The four men also attended Naomi’s official adoption ceremony.
“It’s one of the highlights of my career by far,” de Leon shared. “Going to that ceremony and getting to see her again… ‘Cause you know, when it happens, you don’t really know what’s going to happen to the baby.”
How One Little Girl Found Her Forever Home and Forever Friends
Though Naomi’s birth mother believed she was not able to take care of her daughter, she did take care of Naomi by giving her to people who can provide for her.
“It really is a great opportunity for us to tell her about her mom and what a courageous thing she did,” Krysten Snyder said.
All those involved- from the mother that gave Naomi up to the firefighters who took her in- exhibited immense care and bravery that day. Several people united to ensure one little girl would have a wonderful life, and now she can.
More Uplifting News from Goalcast:
- Family of Five Sleeping Through Deadly Fire Saved by Surprising (and Tiny) Hero
- Homeless Man Sees Stolen Firetruck Being Driven Down The Street – Steps In To Stop It Amidst Police Chase
- Fearless Mom Runs Into Blazing Fire And Burns 60% Of Body To Save Children Stuck In The House
- Firefighter Adopts Baby Girl After Delivering Her And Learning Mom Couldn't Keep Her
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