Never Too Late

Jeff and Angel Wages were the proud parents of two grown children, now 28 and 26, and they enjoyed their empty nest. They never imagined they could soon be parents to a toddler.

“We loved him to death and he wasn’t going anywhere,” said Angel.

But two years ago, the Wages’ daughter, Sadie, was married to a man who discovered he was the father of an 18-month-old boy from a previous relationship. It’s estimated that little Walter spent time in 11-15 homes before his mother, who was addicted to drugs and unable to care for him, left him with Sadie and her husband. Walter lived in their home for five months, but his father drank too much and was abusive towards Sadie. Child Protective Services (CPS) stepped in to protect Walter. They asked Jeff and Angel if they would consider a kinship-care placement since Walter knew and trusted them. They didn’t hesitate. “We loved him to death and he wasn’t going anywhere,” said Angel.

When Walter first moved in, he couldn’t sleep more than three or four hours a night. Angel would sit with him and pat his back, trying to get him to sleep. When he had supervised visits with his dad, Walter was visibly scared and would hide behind a chair. Angel tried to carry Walter into the room where his father waited, but his fear took over and he bit her arm. Walter was clearly suffering from past trauma and needed help.

According to Jeff and Angel, their PCHAS caseworker, Cristina, was a godsend. Cristina accompanied them to Walter’s doctor’s appointments where she advocated for him and made sure he was evaluated properly to get the care he needed. (Walter has since been diagnosed with ADHD and Level 2 Autism). When Cristina couldn’t make it to one of Walter’s appointments, another PCHAS team member stepped in. Yet another PCHAS worker helped install smoke detectors at their house so it would be ready for Walter. “Every person we have met at PCHAS has been wonderful,” said Angel. “They scheduled trainings around Jeff’s work schedule, which really helped with our stress level and helped us get stuff done. They just go above and beyond.”   

“There are so many children out there who don’t have and need homes,” said Angel. “Let them see there is another life besides the one they have been living."

Last month, after 384 days in foster care, Angel and Jeff adopted Walter. He is now a thriving 2-year-old who loves playing outside in the dirt or in the sprinkler. He’s a lovable kid with a family that adores him. “The love we have for him and that he has for us is unbelievable,” said Angel.

On his adoption day, the Wages’ extended family came to the courthouse. They brought gifts to celebrate and everyone wore t-shirts that read “Team Wages” with that special date. It was a joyful atmosphere. There was no more worrying if Walter was going to leave or if he would finally find a forever home. “It was wonderful knowing that he was finally ours,” said Angel.

Angel and Jeff may not have planned to become foster parents or to adopt a young child after their biological children were grown and out of the house, but, now that their lives have been changed by Walter, they wish more people would open their hearts and homes to children in foster care. “There are so many children out there who don’t have and need homes,” said Angel. “Let them see there is another life besides the one they have been living." 

Learn more about becoming a foster family for a special child like Walter.