A Detroit 16-year-old who originally told her family she discovered a newborn baby on their porch has now revealed she was the child’s mother.
According to WXYZ, the teen delivered the baby alone on Thanksgiving after hiding her pregnancy from her family. Her grandmother, Kimberly Peoples-Adams, said the family initially praised the “mother” who supposedly left the infant on their doorstep — unaware of the truth.
The teen reportedly didn’t tell anyone she was pregnant because she feared disappointing her family. When she went into labor, she was completely alone. She watched YouTube videos on how to cut the umbilical cord before delivering the baby herself. Afterward, she called her family claiming she found the baby outside.
Peoples-Adams said the teen was overwhelmed and terrified, not just of the labor but of how she would be perceived. “You can’t imagine what would go through a teenager’s mind. She’s still 16, she’s still nervous, she’s still trying to learn how to deal with the world,” she said. “She just felt that she’s being judged, and she is being judged.”
Family Says They’re Standing By Her
The family has decided to support both the teen and her newborn as they move forward. A GoFundMe has also been created to help provide care and resources for the mother and baby.
We are now both single moms trying to navigate a very unexpected and emotional time but we are struggling with the sudden financial and personal challenges that come with this situation.
Thank you for reading, for understanding, and for helping us in this incredibly difficult moment. Your kindness truly makes a difference.
So far, the crowdfunding page has raised $25,000.