When 14-year-old Shariya Small gave birth to triplets at just 26 weeks, she found herself facing an overwhelming reality—alone. But a kind-hearted NICU nurse, Katrina Mullen, saw her struggle and decided to change her life forever.
Shariya’s tiny triplets were born prematurely, requiring a five-month stay in the neonatal intensive care unit at Community Hospital North in Indiana. While other parents often had loved ones to lean on, Shariya sat alone by her babies’ bedside every day. No packed lunches. No visits from family. Just a young girl trying to navigate motherhood by herself.
Katrina, a seasoned nurse and a single mom of five, couldn’t help but notice. At first, Shariya was hesitant to share much about her life. But Katrina understood—she had been a teen mom herself, giving birth at 16. When Katrina opened up about her own journey, the walls between them came down.
“Something shifted after I told her I was a teen mom,” Katrina recalled. “That’s when we really developed trust.”
Katrina became more than a nurse—she became a mentor. She taught Shariya how to care for her newborns, but she couldn’t shake the worry about what life would look like for Shariya once she left the hospital. So, Katrina gave the young mom her phone number. “If you need anything, just call me,” she said.
The calls came often. Concerned, Katrina decided to visit Shariya’s home—and what she found broke her heart. Shariya didn’t have a proper bed, and the living conditions were so poor that one of the triplets ended up back in the hospital. The situation eventually drew the attention of social services.
When a social worker informed Katrina that Shariya and her babies needed to be removed from their home, something remarkable happened. Shariya turned to Katrina and asked if they could live with her. Despite the immense challenges, Katrina said yes.
“I knew it would be impossible to find a foster home that could take all four of them,” Katrina explained. “I just kept thinking, ‘I have to do this.’”
As a single mom of five children—three still living at home—Katrina’s life was already busy. But she took the necessary classes to become a certified foster parent. Friends and family pitched in, donating baby essentials like clothes, cribs, and strollers.
With Katrina’s support, Shariya’s life transformed. She returned to school, graduated with an impressive A- average, and is now touring colleges with dreams of becoming a social worker. Through therapy, she has also worked on her own well-being while embracing motherhood with dedication.
“She’s an amazing mom,” Katrina said. “She takes charge of her kids, and I only step in to babysit when she needs it.”
In February, after fostering Shariya and her triplets for 668 days, Katrina officially adopted her. A GoFundMe campaign Katrina started to secure their future has since nearly doubled its $20,000 goal.
Reflecting on her journey, Katrina said, “Has it been easy? No! She pushes limits like any teenager. But I’m her mom—I’m not going anywhere.”
This extraordinary act of love transformed not just one life, but four. And in the process, Katrina became more than a nurse; she became a family.
What do you think of Katrina’s story? Share this heartwarming tale with someone who could use a little inspiration today!
