Hit-and-Run Case Takes Unexpected Turn After Prom Queen's Passing in St. Louis Incident
May 06, 2026

Some moments in life break us, where we feel like everything we have ever known is being ripped away from us. For one young woman, giving birth to triplets was supposed to be a moment of joy and celebration, but it quickly became a nightmare.
Abandoned by those she loved, depressed, and lonely, Shariya Small faced the unimaginable reality of giving up her babies to the foster care system.
The thought of saying goodbye to them forever broke her heart. But then, a ray of hope appeared in the form of a kind-hearted nurse who saw the pain and suffering she was going through.
Life can be challenging, especially for someone as young as Small, who was thrust into motherhood when she was barely a teenager.
Changing diapers and feeding babies at all hours wasn't how the 14-year-old envisioned spending her days. And adding to her worries was the health of her babies.
Small's triplets were born prematurely, weighing less than two pounds each. They were kept in incubators in the neo-intensive care unit for four long months.
Small was afraid and panicked when an officer determined her kids needed to be placed in foster care.
Amidst all the chaos and uncertainty, a beacon of hope appeared in the form of the nurse who looked after Small's babies. With her kind and caring nature, Nurse Katrina Mullen, a mother of five, helped Small prepare for motherhood.
The two exchanged numbers when Small's babies left the hospital, unaware their bond would last a lifetime. Mullen told the teen she would be there for her, adding:
"I immediately thought that I needed to give her a shoulder to lean on."
It was as if fate had brought them together—Mullen, the seasoned NICU nurse, and Small, the young mother struggling to keep up with the demands of parenting.
The two stayed in regular contact and Mullen's wealth of experience as a mom of five and a NICU nurse made her the perfect mentor for Small. Over time, their bond grew, and the teen depended on Mullen more and more.
For Small, Mullen was more than just a nurse — she was a lifeline in a world that often felt overwhelming and scary. Mullen never hesitated when the teen reached out for help, and she was happy to see her doing the best she could as a new mom.
But the youngster's worst nightmare became a reality when the Indiana Department of Child Services investigated her home in Kokomo, Indiana.
Small was afraid and panicked when an officer determined her kids needed to be placed in foster care. Mullen knew it was almost impossible that a foster home would welcome a teen mom with three little ones.
The nurse wanted them to stay together, so she did something selfless. Despite having her own life to worry about, Mullen adopted Small and her kids in February 2023. She became an adoptive mom and a grandmother all in one.
Mullen went above and beyond to ensure the babies were well cared for, changing her schedule to look after them. Small, who had put her education on hold, could finally go back to school and finish her education.
Despite others' doubts, Small persevered and graduated as a junior with big plans for her future. She wanted to be a nurse just like Mullen.
Even though it had been a stressful journey, Mullen is immensely proud of Small and her achievements. The nurse expressed:
"Stressful? Yes. Sleepless nights? Yes. But worth it? Absolutely."
For Mullen, the joy that comes from helping others is priceless, and her love for Small and her children is immeasurable.
The online community had high praise for the nurse who went out of her way to help another. Users sent the kind woman God's richest blessings and wished her family well:
"This story restores my faith in the human race. May God Bless you all, and I pray that you all continue to be grateful for your blessings."
- (Vicki Roy) March 11, 2023
"Single older women (if that is her case) do more good around them than anyone can fathom. They often provide support and a sense of family to people who need just that."
- (Betka Dorrerova) March 11, 2021
"This is a wonderful story. There are selfless and loving people out there. Love gives this family a much better future."
- (Esther Ford) March 12, 2021
Mullen started a GoFundMe page in support of her adoptive daughter and grandkids. Angels walk on earth, and sometimes they look like the NICU nurse who acted selflessly and changed one teen and her babies' lives forever.
Click here for another beautiful story about a loving nurse who could not look the other way when a baby was abandoned. The little one had Down syndrome, and the nurse was happy to give him a home.
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