Caseworker becomes mother to 19-year-old she mentored in foster care

Monyay Paskalides, 19, got her first hug from her new mom on Tuesday in Bradenton, Florida. Judge Teri Dees approved the adoption over Zoom. At 11, Monyay was placed in a foster care group home. Leah Paskalides was her caseworker and mentor at the Safe Children Coalition, but a conflict of interest with her job kept her from adopting her. "She was always a kid that did not deserve to go through life without a support system of a family," Leah said.
Monyay is 19, and her adoption shows a person can still find the love of a family well past childhood.
Source: 'She is wanted:' Caseworker becomes mother to 19-year-old who spent years in foster care (fox13news.com). Spotted via Upworthy.
Written by the HappyGood desk from the primary source linked above and checked against it. Every story links its source. Corrections: [email protected].
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