Give Tatiana a Forever Home with Michele and Earl

Tatiana entered Michele's 1st grade classroom in August of 2020. She was a quiet and reserved 6-year-old child with unkept hair, a malnourished physique, and ill-fitting clothing. She was an average student academically being raised by her father Brad and her paternal grandmother. Her mother was said to be in South Florida with an exact location unknown. She was in and out of jail due to drug and alcohol abuse. She left Tatiana's life when she was an infant.

In her 2nd grade year, Tatiana lost her paternal grandmother and quickly learned to care for herself and her father at just 8 years old. With little to no food in their one-bedroom apartment, she learned to "cook" with what little items they had and also learned to keep the apartment tidy. Christmas of 2021, Michele and I provided gifts, clothing and gift cards to Brad so that he could create Christmas for Tatiana as he did not have the financial means to do so. In November 2022, while still just 8 years old, Brad asked Michele to take Tatiana to Walmart as she had begun her cycle. They spent the afternoon discussing feminine and hygiene products. This was the beginning of Michele's bond with Tatiana outside of the classroom setting. During her second-grade year, Brad struggled to hold jobs, keep a vehicle and secure a home for them to live in.

In February 2023, as a 3rd grader, Tatiana witnessed her father overdose. That night while Brad was in recovery he called Michele to ask if she and her family would take care of Tatiana temporarily. With the help of the Department of Children and Families, Tatiana was placed in the Mauger home. This temporary agreement was to last 2-3 months while he worked to get himself clean and back on his feet and find a new home for them to live.

2-3 months has now turned into 2-3 years. Tatiana has been a part of the Mauger family and home since February 2023. She is thriving! She is healthy, happy, outgoing, confident and soaring academically. In the years that have passed, Brad has made no effort to better himself. He has made little effort to keep a relationship and in touch with Tatiana. He has not provided for her financially. He has not provided clothing as she's grown, toiletries or medicines to keep her healthy or food to keep her nourished. He has not given any money to the Mauger family to care and provide for her. Michele and Earl have had a very open door for him to visit and call yet he does not make attempts. Tatiana shares stories of her time with her dad often but has no desire to return to her life with him. In fact, it has given her extreme anxiety to think about that possibility.

She has grown to become a Mauger. She has gone from calling Michele Mrs. Mauger, to Aunt Michele to now Mom. She has called Earl Uncle Earl, and now Father. Victoria and Jordan have taken on the older sibling role while Tatiana has become their little sister and pseudo auntie to Baby Camden.

Michele and Earl have been in great communication with Brad as Tatiana's elementary school journey is ending soon. They want to make sure she continues to thrive and have everything she needs. Most importantly they want to continue to provide her with a stable home and health insurance (something she has been lacking most of her life) With Brad's already granted permission, they want to proceed with adopting Tatiana to continue giving her the best life possible. After 31 happily married years and raising 2 children of their own, it has become their greatest desire to love and provide for Tatiana. Their bond as an entire family with her, has become unbreakable.

Because this was never part of their future plans they did not plan financially. As Michele's best friend, teaching partner and Tatiana's 1st grade co-teacher it has been the greatest blessing to watch their story unfold. I created this GoFundMe to help support Earl and Michele through this journey of adoption. They are the most selfless humans I know and would do anything for anyone in need. Attorney, DCF, and legal fees will total close to $8,000. Please consider contributing to help provide a life of health and happiness this child so greatly deserves.