48-year-old Ohio resident, Christie Werts, made headlines by adopting her husband Wesley’s late ex-wife’s newborn, Levi, to keep him out of foster care. The blended family, including Christie’s children Megan (21) and Vance (15), and Wesley’s children Austin (14) and Dakota (10), decided to adopt Levi when they learned of the mother’s tragic passing.

“I knew instantly that we should adopt Levi. Having been a foster child myself, I didn’t want him going through that system,” Christie explained. The process was challenging; they had to sell their Ohio home and move to Texas to foster Levi officially before adopting him, taking 16 months.

Christie initially had concerns about adopting a child she hadn’t met but quickly felt an overwhelming need to protect Levi. Now, he’s legally part of the family.

“Levi may not understand now, but we will let him know one day how hard we fought for him,” Christie said.