An Arizona teenager who lived in inhumane conditions in a group home when she was 12 has revealed she is now doing well after being adopted by her school principal years ago.
Raven Whitaker-Smith, now 18, lived in a group home and said the conditions were so bad that she had lice, dirty fingernails and bruises on her body.
Seven years ago, Raven met Jason Smith, principal of Campbell County Middle School, after she was reprimanded for throwing food into the school cafeteria.
As she explained herself, Raven revealed the terrible living conditions she endured, which were close to Smith’s heart.
Smith and his wife Marybeth, who was struggling with the trauma of infertility, were heartbroken by her story and decided they wanted to help.
The couple initially took Raven in before officially adopting her in 2017. Thanks to her love and dedication, the now 18-year-old worked toward becoming a social worker at the University of Kentucky.
Raven Whitaker-Smith, now 18, was just 11 years old when she met Campbell County Middle School principal Jason Smith, who later became her father
Raven Whitaker-Smith pictured with her parents Jason and Marybeth Smith
Campbell County Middle School in Arizona, where Whitaker-Smith met her future father and principal, Jason Smith
Speaking to Local 12 News, Raven admitted that if it weren’t for the Smiths, she would probably be dead.
“We had head lice, we had bruises everywhere, our fingernails were all gross and stuff,” she said.
“Honestly, I wouldn’t be alive anymore.” “I probably would have taken a completely different path.”
Raven’s father and former school principal shared his own harrowing experiences before adopting his new daughter.
Jason said he and his wife had been in foster care before but had problems, which made them hesitant to take Raven in.
“It just crushed us, so probably more so for me, we made the decision that my heart couldn’t take another break like that,” Marybeth said.
The couple took things slowly at first and Raven spent the weekend with them so they could get to know each other.
The happy family together at a baseball game in an undated photo
The couple initially took Whitaker-Smith in and officially adopted her in 2017. The young girl, who has two loving and supportive parents, is pursuing a degree in social work and hopes to one day help others
But after the first visit, the bond between the trio was immediately noticeable and continues to this day.
“They say a mother falls in love with her child at first sight, and I can remember Raven coming into that room that day, that scared little child, and I just knew in my heart that she was should be,” Marybeth explained.
Raven said it was a quick transition from student life to family life.
“That same weekend we painted our bedroom my favorite color, teal,” she said.
“I just knew that everything happens for a reason.”
Jason expressed how proud he was of Raven for overcoming so many challenges at such a young age, a sentiment that Marybeth echoed.
“If you’re out there thinking about fostering a child, don’t be afraid to take in a teenager,” she said.
“I couldn’t love her more if I gave birth to her.”