- Summary Points
- Brittany and Chris Tyler adopted a baby boy, Samuel, left at a firehouse under Kentucky’s Safe Infant Act.
- Samuel was surrendered in a shoebox with a blanket and a loving note from his birth mother.
- The Tylers, who foster medically fragile babies, adopted Samuel after 581 days of fostering.
In an emotional journey, Brittany and Chris Tyler from Kentucky have adopted a baby boy named Samuel, who was initially surrendered at a local fire station. Brittany, a foster parent, had come across the story of the baby’s surrender in May 2022 and had hoped he would be placed with them. Under Kentucky’s Safe Infant Act, the birth mother was able to anonymously and legally relinquish the infant.
When Samuel was left at the fire station, he was placed in a shoebox with a blanket, accompanied by a heartfelt note from his birth mother expressing her inability to care for him and her love for him. The note deeply touched Brittany, who shares that sentiment of love for Samuel.
The Tylers, who specialize in fostering medically fragile babies, received the call to foster Samuel just days after he was surrendered. At that time, the newborn weighed just over 3 pounds and was in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Chris immediately felt a deep connection with Samuel, knowing he was meant to be part of their family.
Samuel, now 20 months old, was officially adopted by the Tylers on December 18, 2023, after 581 days of fostering. He joins his brothers Judah, 8, and Calvin, 5, both of whom were also adopted through foster care. The three siblings share an inseparable bond.
The Tylers’ journey to parenthood was shaped by their struggles with infertility, making their story of fostering and adoption even more meaningful. They are currently in the process of adopting another foster child, a girl, whom Samuel adores.
Samuel’s name holds special significance, inspired by the biblical story of Hannah, who prayed for a child and was blessed with a son named Samuel. His middle name, Ryan, honors Brittany’s late brother, a firefighter.
Brittany and Chris are preserving the blanket and the note from Samuel’s birth mother as keepsakes for him. Brittany transformed the blanket into a teddy bear so that Samuel will always have a piece of his birth mother with him. The couple wishes to convey their gratitude and love to Samuel’s birth mother for her difficult but loving decision.
This story of adoption and unconditional love highlights the profound impact of foster care and the Safe Infant Act, providing a nurturing environment for children in need of a loving home.