In a world often overwhelmed by heartbreaking headlines, it’s stories like these that remind us of the good that still exists. One such story unfolded in Indianapolis, where a compassionate nurse changed the course of a young mother’s life—and the lives of her newborn triplets.
Katrina Mullen, a veteran NICU nurse with over two decades of experience, knows firsthand what it means to be a teen mom—she was one herself. So when 14-year-old Shariya Small arrived at the hospital and later gave birth to premature triplets, Mullen instantly felt a connection.
The tiny babies—two girls and a boy—weighed under two pounds each and spent their first four months in the NICU, clinging to life. During this time, Mullen became a steady presence in Shariya’s life. “If you need anything, I’m here,” she told Scrubs Magazine. She offered a shoulder to lean on and, before long, the two began staying in touch regularly, talking over FaceTime or meeting in person.
Mullen, a mother of five, understood the overwhelming challenges facing the young mom. She began helping with nightly feedings so Shariya could rest. Even though Shariya adored her babies, the weight of caring for three newborns at such a young age was enormous. Mullen stepped in not just as a nurse, but as a mentor and mother figure.
“I’d hang out in her office and tell her everything,” Shariya recalled. “She shared stories from when she was a teen mom too.” Though Shariya lived in Kokomo—an hour away from Mullen’s home in Brownsburg—that didn’t stop the nurse from being present. She brought gifts for the babies, and their bond grew so strong that hospital staff began joking that Shariya was Mullen’s “adopted daughter.”
That joke, however, soon became a reality.
When Shariya’s baby boy was readmitted to the hospital briefly, Mullen stayed home with the girls. But this health scare triggered a visit from Child Protective Services. The social worker decided that the triplets needed to go into foster care—a devastating turn. Shariya, in a panic, called the only person she knew she could count on: Katrina Mullen.
Without hesitation, Mullen stepped forward and applied to adopt Shariya and her three children—even while still raising three of her own kids at home. “As a nurse, I knew that foster homes wouldn’t easily take in a teen mom with three infants,” Mullen said. “I couldn’t let them be separated—I wanted to keep them together.”
She also launched a GoFundMe campaign to help provide a financial cushion for the expanded family, hoping to raise $3,000. Donations quickly surpassed the goal, giving them a much-needed boost.
Now 15, Shariya is thriving. “People said I’d never finish school or reach my goals,” she shared. “But I’m graduating early and have been accepted to two colleges with scholarships.” Mullen’s unwavering support has made all the difference in helping her turn dreams into reality.
Though the road has been far from easy, Mullen says it’s been worth it. “It’s been wonderful,” she said. “Stressful? Yes. Sleepless nights? Definitely. But would I do it all again? Absolutely.”
According to the Child Welfare website, nearly 400,000 children are currently in foster care in the U.S., with about 80% struggling with mental health challenges. In the face of those staggering numbers, stories like this one shine even brighter—proof that love, commitment, and one person’s kindness can transform lives.