In a touching and unusual turn of events, a 4-year-old foster child named True arrived at a hospital to undergo heart surgery with no adult by his side. The boy, who was in foster care due to a difficult early childhood and ongoing medical challenges, was brought to Children’s Nebraska in Omaha for a critical cardiac procedure in January 2022. His caseworker was unavailable because she had contracted COVID-19, and there were no parents or caregivers present to accompany him.
True was scheduled for a heart operation due to complications from a previous open-heart surgery related to congenital heart disease — a condition present from birth that often requires multiple medical interventions. On that day, the hospital staff were shocked to see such a young child sitting alone and preparing for significant surgery without a familiar adult to comfort him.
A Doctor Steps In With Compassion
One of the medical professionals who noticed True’s situation was Dr. Amy Beethe, a pediatric cardiac anesthesiologist. As someone who routinely cares for children facing serious surgery, she was deeply moved to see him waiting alone. Dr. Beethe recalls being struck by the image of a small child about to undergo anesthesia and surgery without a parent or guardian present. Over the course of his hospital stay, Dr. Beethe and her husband, Ryan, grew increasingly connected to True. The couple had experience in foster care — they had already fostered and adopted three other children prior to meeting True. They began spending time with him, offering reassurance and kindness during what was for him a frightening and uncertain time.
From Foster Care to Family
Within a month after True’s surgery, the Beethes had made the decision to foster him formally. As they learned more about his background and needs, they realized how much he needed a stable, loving home. Not long after fostering him, they took the next step and adopted True, welcoming him into their family permanently. Today, True is about 9 years old and thriving in his adoptive family’s care. He is surrounded by seven siblings — three biological children of the Beethes and several other adopted children. Their household now includes eight children in total, and True’s older sister, Laney, has also become part of the family through adoption, ensuring the siblings remain close.
The Impact of a Loving Home
Dr. Beethe says that True has truly become her son, and she emphasizes that her commitment to him is no different from that of a biological parent. “He’s truly become my son,” she said, and added that she would “battle for him like anyone else.” Her statement highlights the powerful emotional bond that has grown between them, rooted in love and compassion rather than biology. True himself describes his new life warmly. He says it has been good to have caring parents and a large family, and he calls Dr. Beethe and her husband his “mom and dad.” The stable, nurturing environment has made a significant difference in his life — not only emotionally but also in terms of his health. Supportive home care has helped him be more stable and pursue further medical care, with the hope of becoming eligible for a future heart transplant if necessary.
A Story That Inspires Others
The Beethes’ decision to adopt True has also inspired others in their community and beyond to consider fostering and adopting children with complex medical needs. Their story demonstrates how compassionate action can dramatically alter a child’s trajectory from fear and uncertainty to belonging and care. What began as a lonely moment in a hospital hallway eventually turned into a loving family and a source of hope — not just for True, but for all the siblings who now have a permanent home.
