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Tragedy Leads Couple to Foster and Adopt in West Virginia

foster and adopt in West Virginia

This story was written by Jessica Bergdorf, a KVC Foster and Adoptive Mom in West Virginia.


My husband and I faced the greatest challenge of our lives in 2012. Our son passed away after being born prematurely. We were devastated and unsure of what to do.

While we were aware of fostering, the experience we had just gone through made us feel like that was the last thing we wanted to do. I couldn’t fathom the idea of taking a child into our home, growing close to them and then saying goodbye.

After several months of trying to have another child, but not being able to, we were desperate to care for a child. Following some hesitation, we decided to begin the process to become foster parents.

Click here to learn more about becoming a foster parent.

We completed the training and received our license to start taking in youth. From the beginning, we were taken aback at how amazing and loving the children were when they came to live with us. One of our first placements, a brother and sister, were able to safely move back in with their dad after being with us for one year and two months. While my husband and I really thought we wouldn’t be able to give them back, it was the best outcome for the children even though it was very difficult for us.

Three months after saying goodbye to these two amazing children, we got a phone call that a baby girl was born with drugs in her system. She had been left at the hospital and no one had been there to visit her in the first 10 days of her life. We rushed down to the hospital, and the moment we saw her we were in love. The doctors told us she would have to stay in the hospital for six more days, and we went to visit her every day until she was able to leave.

Once she was home with us, she suffered severe withdrawals from the drugs that were in her system. A few months later, the court granted visits with her dad. I was very respectful to the father and let him know I’d work with him to help him get his daughter back. However, he had a difficult time caring for the baby and her three siblings. He was uncertain if he was equipped to care for her, and her mother’s rights had been terminated.

One day, the father approached me before a visit and asked, “Would you be willing to adopt my daughter?”

“Absolutely,” I said. “We love her so much.”

We adopted her about one month before she turned two. We were able to provide for her medical needs and now she is healthy and happy with no medical issues.

We recommend KVC to everyone we know! It’s where everyone treats you like family.


There are more than 5,000 West Virginia children and teens in foster care, and you can change a child’s life by becoming a foster parent! Fostering provides a child who has experienced abuse or neglect with a safe, loving environment. On top of this, it gives you the opportunity to show a child the love and care they deserve while helping them grow emotionally, mentally, and spiritually as you teach life skills and give support. Click here to learn more about the process to foster and adopt in West Virginia.

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