- Katrina Mullen formed a close connection with Shariya Small, a 14-year-old teen mom of triplets who was her patient.
- Mullen decided to adopt Small and her three children to prevent them from being split up in foster care.
- Mullen’s decision was driven by her own experience as a teen mom who had her first child at 16.
When Katrina Mullen, a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurse at Community Hospital North in Indianapolis, met Shariya Small, a 14-year-old mom of premature triplets, she knew she had to do something to help.
Mullen, a single mother of five children who had become a teen mom at 16, saw Small struggling to care for her babies and feared they would all end up in foster care and separated.
Over the course of five months, Mullen and Small developed a close bond while the babies received care in the hospital. Even after the babies were discharged, Small reached out to Mullen for help with childcare.
The Washington Post reported that Mullen visited Small’s home and was shocked to find the babies sharing one playpen and bassinet, and Small sleeping on a couch. Shortly after, Mullen received notification that Small and her children would be put into foster care and separated.
Determined not to let that happen, Mullen made a life-changing decision. She decided to foster Small and her triplets and took them into her own home, which she shares with her own sons. Despite the shock and surprise from everyone around her, Mullen knew she had to do what was right for Small and her children.
On February 6, 2021, Mullen formally adopted Small as her daughter, becoming the grandmother of the triplets. Her decision was driven by her own experience and a desire to prevent the family from being split up.
Mullen later celebrated the official adoption day with her family. She took to Instagram to commemorate the momentous occasion, sharing a photo of her large family and announcing, “It’s ADOPTION DAY!!! We are forever family.”
Mullen’s post also expressed her joy and love for her daughter, whom she had cared for as her NICU and foster mama for a total of 668 days. “She’s MY DAUGHTER FOREVER AND EVER,” Mullen exclaimed.
In addition to the adoption celebration, Mullen started a GoFundMe page to provide financial assistance for Small and her babies. The campaign aimed to raise $20,000 to cover housing costs, college funding, and a car for the family. To date, the campaign has raised over $57,000, exceeding its initial goal.