NICU nurse adopts 14-year-old mother of TRIPLETS

An NICU nurse decided to adopt a 14-year-old mother of triplets after seeing her in the hospital day after day with no support or family.

Katrina Mullen was working at the neonatal intensive care unit at Community Hospital North in Indianapolis when she first met Shariya Small.

Shariya, who was in eighth grade at the time, gave birth to Serenitee, Samari and Sarayah at just 26 weeks with the triplets – weighing less than two pounds each – spending more than five months in hospital.

Katrina, 45, said that the young mom would be alone ‘for days at a time’ as she sat by the babies’ bedside which spurred her to step in.

Katrina Mullen was working at the neonatal intensive care unit at Community Hospital North in Indianapolis when she first met Shariya

Katrina fostered Shariya and the babies for 668 days before officially adopting the teenager in February

Katrina began offering support to Shariya but the youngster was initially resistant. 

But the nurse said that she was able to start breaking down the walls after revealing that she had been a teen mom herself who put her own son up for adoption. 

Shariya was still reluctant to share information about her family life – but Katrina gave her mobile number shortly before the triplets were discharged.

The pair exchanged frequent calls as the nurse offered her continuing support to the often overwhelmed youngster. 

But Katrina was concerned and drove for more than an hour to Kokomo, Indiana, where Shariya was staying with a relative.

She said that she was alarmed by the conditions and told Today: ‘It was not a place for her to raise babies.’ 

Newborn Samari, who had digestive problems since birth, was underweight and suffering with eczema.

He was admitted to hospital and later diagnosed with ‘failure to thrive’ – defined as decelerated or arrested physical growth.

Katrina said that she did not hesitate to welcome the young mom into her already bustling household

The nurse said that she was able to start breaking down the walls after revealing that she had been a teen mom herself who put her own son up for adoption

Katrina had initially set up a GoFundMe page in the hopes of raising $20,000 to ‘build a financial cushion’ for Shariya and her now two-year-old children

The Department of Social Services was informed about the situation and Katrina was stunned to receive a call from the caseworker.

She told the publication: ‘The caseworker said that Shariya and her babies were being removed from their home and then she goes, “Shariya said she’d like to come live with you. Would you be willing?”‘

Katrina said that she did not hesitate and welcomed the young mom into her already bustling household with open arms. 

Three of her kids – SeQuayvion, 16, ShaKovon, 14, and JJ, seven – live at home and she is also a mother to two others Sevonté, 23, and Shai, 22.

Katrina fostered Shariya and the babies for 668 days before officially adopting the teenager in February. 

She had initially set up a GoFundMe page in the hopes of raising $20,000 to ‘build a financial cushion’ for Shariya, who wants to pursue a career in social work, and her now two-year-old children – but it has already smashed its target.

It said that it wanted to be for Shariya’s ‘future college experience and adventures… as she grows into a strong woman and mother.’