A young orphan’s plea for adoption
Davion Navar Henry Only is 15 years old. While most teens his age desire the next “it” item, he just wants a family.
So on Sunday, his case worker drove him to the local church in St. Petersburg.
Dressed in a black suit, Davion entered the doors of St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church in hopes of walking out as part of someone’s family.
He has never had a home or felt beloved. His name is the last thing his parents gave him. He was born while his mom was in jail. He can’t count all of the places he has lived. In June, Davion sat at a library computer, unfolded his birth certificate and, for the first time, searched for his mother’s name. Up came her mug shot: 6-foot-1, 270 pounds — tall, big and dark, like him. Petty theft, cocaine. Next he saw the obituary: La-Dwina Ilene “Big Dust” McCloud, 55, of Clearwater, died June 5, 2013. Just a few weeks before.
Davion had always hoped that his birth mother would come and get him; rescue him from the Carlton Manor residential group home. But when she died, things changed. ”He decided he wanted to control his behavior and show everyone who he could be,” his caseworker Connie Going told Naples News.
”I’ll take anyone,” Davion said. “Old or young, dad or mom, black, white, purple. I don’t care. And I would be really appreciative. The best I could be.” During Sunday’s sermon, the preacher spoke about how Jesus lifted up orphans, and then he introduced Davion.
So far, two couples asked about the teen, but no one has come forward to adopt him.
For more information or to adopt Davion call 866-233-0790.