Seven years after suffering severe burns in an apartment fire, a foster infant finally gets adopted.
When the apartment where little Deyvion was sleeping caught fire, he was just a baby in his bassinet. Although firefighters heroically saved him, he was left with severe burns covering his face.
This resilient baby from Missouri embarked on a long journey of recovery in a specialized burns unit. His survival was nothing short of miraculous, and his fight for health and healing was just beginning.
When Deyvion was five years old, he found a loving foster home with Beth Plunkett, a single mother of two. Despite the challenges, Beth immediately fell in love with him. “I thought he was a lovely little child, and I fell in love with him very soon,” Beth shared with WGN9 News. “Everyone says, ‘Oh, he is so fortunate to have you and what you are doing,’ but I am just as fortunate to have him.”
After 2,545 days without a permanent home, Deyvion was officially adopted by Beth. “I want him to be happy,” Beth said. “That is the most important thing. I want him to always feel loved, to have goals, achieve them, and do incredible things. And I am certain that he will. God’s plan for him is very incredible.”
Deyvion’s remarkable journey has also touched the hearts of the firefighters who saved him. Deputy Chief Eric Smith and his team from the South Metro Fire Department in Raymore will never forget the night they rescued this extraordinary boy.
At Deyvion’s adoption ceremony, Smith and his team presented him with a special jacket and cap, and even gave him and his mother a ride in their fire truck to the courthouse where the adoption was finalized. Smith gave Deyvion a high five, expressing his pride and admiration for him. “He is extremely distinguished,” Smith said. “We might not always comprehend why events happen, but we do today.”
Despite all he has endured, Deyvion now has the chance for a happy and love-filled life. This brave young boy, surrounded by his new family and community, deserves all the joy in the world. His story is a testament to resilience, love, and the power of second chances.