Amarillo firefighters reunite with families helped through Texas Safe Harbor Act

AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) – In a moment of emotion and gratitude, a group of firefighters were reunited with adoptive parents and the child they safely surrendered under the Texas Safe Harbor Act two and a half years ago.

“We’re grateful they’re here and we know this was a difficult decision to make and as the firefighters said, it’s a blessing to be able to reconnect and see the back of the story. We wouldn’t have gotten him without them,” said adoptive parent Andrew.

On a quiet night in 2022, firefighters at Station 13 encountered the newborn baby for the first time and quickly provided care and comfort.

“We were ready to take the baby,” Battalion Chief Adam Perry recalled. “We congratulated the mother for making the right choice and told her we were really proud of her for what she had done.”

On November 23, Fire Station 13 hosted an intimate gathering that served as a powerful reminder to everyone of the impact of the Safe Harbor law.

“As an adoptive child, I think it’s really important to let them know what you know about them and share their story with them,” said adoptive parent Laura.

The Safe Haven law allows parents in crisis to safely surrender their babies to designated safe locations, such as fire stations, without facing legal repercussions.

“Being a firefighter, first and foremost, is a privilege, and the fact that it’s a place free of judgment for people who don’t know what to do next, it’s a privilege to be on that side of the business,” Blake said. Johnston is a firefighter at Station 13.

For the firefighters, seeing the boy succeed was a powerful reminder of the importance of their work.

“This is an absolute blessing for us to be able to have the opportunity to be on this side of everything,” said Jacob Oehlert, deputy chief of operations for the Amarillo Fire Department.

Both Laura and Andrew were thankful for the fire department and the Safe Harbor Act.

The reunion was a complete moment for everyone involved; It was a testament to the power of compassion, community, and the opportunities for new beginnings that the Texas Safe Harbor Act provides.

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