Colleen and Ray Ferguson had been contemplating adoption for quite some time. After completing numerous forms and enduring a lengthy wait, they finally welcomed 6-year-old Ben into their lives and home.
Understanding that Ben would need time to adjust to his new environment, the couple was prepared to be patient. Knowing that kids his age often enjoy comfort food, Colleen made mac and cheese for him. However, once he finished eating, Ben requested some time alone in his room.
Eager to connect with him, Colleen eventually entered Ben’s room and was taken aback by what she saw. Her adopted son was cradling a baby, feeding her milk. Colleen could hardly believe her eyes.
With a shaky voice, she asked, “Ben, whose baby is that?”
“She’s my sister,” Ben replied, his expression tense.
“Your sister?” Colleen asked, confused.
“Well, not really. She lives in my old home. I had to stay with her,” Ben explained.
Colleen suggested reaching out to Mrs. Campbell, who oversees foster care, but Ben quickly objected. “No! She can’t bring her back. Mr. and Mrs. Franklin, my foster parents, are not good people!”
Ben explained that if his sister were returned to the Franklins, she would be mistreated just as he had been.
After some time, Colleen and Ray managed to convince Ben that they would find a solution and that he needed to rest.
“What are we going to do?” Colleen asked softly. “We can’t keep her here. We’ll get caught.”
“I don’t know,” Ray replied. “But I don’t think Ben is lying.”
When Ben woke up, Colleen and Ray asked him more about his previous foster family. He revealed that they would hit him with a belt and film it.
Although they reassured Ben that they wouldn’t give up his sister, Ray and Colleen were at a loss for what to do next, especially since they knew they couldn’t keep the baby.
“But Ben, we can’t keep her a secret. I know someone who works with Mrs. Campbell,” Colleen said. “We can do something about this.” The couple then reached out to Alana, who works for DCFS. “Sorry for calling you late, Alana. We’re in a difficult situation…”
When Alana heard Ben’s story, she came to visit them. “Do you think Ben is lying?” Ray asked.
“I don’t think so,” Alana replied. “Kids in trouble often hide the truth. The fact that he told you means he trusts you.” She added that she sensed something was indeed wrong with the Franklins, noting that children are frequently moved from home to home.
“What should we do about the baby?” Colleen asked.
Alana made a decision. “I’ll let you be her foster parents for a short time,” she said. “I’ll have to keep it under wraps, though. Just don’t tell anyone, and please let me know if Mrs. Campbell contacts you or if anything else happens.”
A couple of days later, Colleen received a call from Mrs. Campbell, who wanted to know if Ben had mentioned anything about his foster family. Colleen quickly replied that he didn’t talk about his past, hoping to wrap up the conversation as soon as possible.
Mrs. Campbell then asked Colleen to call her immediately if Ben said anything unusual.
While they were still on the phone, Ben shouted, “Mom, the baby is thrashing around!”
Colleen was thrilled to hear her son call her “Mom” for the first time, but she also worried that Mrs. Campbell might have heard Ben mention the baby.
She shared the details of the call with Ray, and they both felt anxious about the potential trouble they could face for hiding the baby.
The next day, Ray noticed a truck parked in front of their house and suspected it might belong to Mr. Franklin.
He informed Alana, and the three of them agreed that they needed to act quickly. Initially, they considered calling the police and even thought about staying at Colleen’s mother’s house for a while. Just as they were rethinking their options, there was a knock at the door.
It was Mrs. Campbell, accompanied by the Franklins. “You know me, Mr. Ferguson!” she said to Ray. “If you don’t let us in to take that baby, I’ll take your son!”
Ray shot back, “You wouldn’t dare! Not after what we know about you!”
As Mrs. Campbell stumbled back, Alana stepped forward. “Cindy, you’re the only one making threats here. You should leave before we call the cops!”
“We’re taking that baby!” Mrs. Franklin shouted angrily.
“That would be a crime!” Alana sighed. “I’ve legally made the Fergusons her foster parents.”
“You had no right!” Mrs. Campbell shot back, furious.
“I did. And I’ve opened an investigation against you,” Alana countered.
After numerous threats exchanged between both sides, the Franklins and Mrs. Campbell were forced out of the house. As Campbell was leaving, she yelled, “I will report you for assault!”
“We’ll report you for trespassing!” Colleen replied defiantly.
When the police arrived, Alana informed them that the baby was now under the foster care of Colleen and Ray. However, Mrs. Campbell claimed that the documents were not legal because the baby had supposedly been stolen from the Franklins’ home.
When Mrs. Campbell threatened to jail Colleen and Ray for kidnapping, little Ben began shouting that he was the one who took his sister. He went on to tell the police officers that Mr. Franklin often beat him while his wife recorded it.
One of the officers, familiar with Mrs. Campbell, sided with her, insisting that the baby should go with her. In response, Ray knocked him to the ground.
“Well, Mr. Franklin, you just assaulted a police officer,” Officer Tristan said. “You’re under arrest.”
At the police station, everyone had the chance to share their version of events, and the police decided to investigate the case, starting with a search of the Franklins’ home.
“The kid, Colin, stepped forward and told the police everything they needed to know about the Franklins. Their house is currently being searched, Mr. Franklin is still in custody, and Mrs. Campbell has left. If she tries to run away, it will only worsen her situation.”
Ultimately, it was confirmed that the foster family had been abusing and neglecting the children in their care.
As a result, Colleen and Ray were offered the opportunity to adopt the baby girl, and they eagerly embraced it.
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