Beyond call of duty: Policeman makes life-changing decision to adopt heroin addict’s baby

Yahoo News Australia
Updated

A kind-hearted police officer has adopted the baby of a heroin addict he met while responding to a burglary.

It was a routine call out for police officer Ryan Holets in the US city of Albuquerque, but nothing had prepared him for what he'd see and how it would change his life.

In the grip of a heroin and methamphetamine addiction, eight-months pregnant Crystal Champ, 35, was homeless on the streets of New Mexico.

Albuquerque police officer Ryan Holets adopted baby Hope from a mum addicted to heroin and ice. Source: Supplied
Albuquerque police officer Ryan Holets adopted baby Hope from a mum addicted to heroin and ice. Source: Supplied

When she fell pregnant she knew she wouldn't be able to care for the baby.

On his way from the scene of the convenience store robbery on September 23, the officer spotted Ms Champ and a man sitting on the grass nearby, appearing to prepare to shoot up heroin.

The cop turned on his body camera and approached the couple.

"Why are you going to be doing that stuff? It's going to ruin your baby. You're going to kill your baby," Officer Holets can be heard in the video clip asking the visibly pregnant woman.

Crystal Champ now lives in a tent beside a highway. Source: CNN
Crystal Champ now lives in a tent beside a highway. Source: CNN

In that moment the father of four decided he would help in the most extraordinary way, by adopting the woman's baby.

Baby Hope was born three weeks later.

Officer Holets offered the child a better start in life when the sick mother pleaded for someone to look after her.

"It's not every day that I see a sight like that and it just made me really sad," he said.

"I've gotten tired of seeing so many situations where I want to help but can't and in that moment I realised that I had a chance to help."

The baby's mother said she was grateful to the officer and his wife for giving her the child a better start to life. Source: CNN
The baby's mother said she was grateful to the officer and his wife for giving her the child a better start to life. Source: CNN

As Ms Champ tries to turn her life around, she knows at least the life of her little girl is in safe hands.

"I just want her to be safe and secure and be in a family and be loved and have a chance, and all of these things I can’t give her right now," the emotional woman later told CNN in an interview.

“There needs to be more people like Ryan and his wife and their family in this world.

“I know how bad my situation is. I know what a horrible person I am.”

Thanks to a generous police officer who went well beyond the call of duty, baby Hope has the opportunity to begin her life in a safe household.