Parenthood
Woman finds scared little girl hiding at nursing home unaware she’d become her mom
It was a baffling discovery that ended up changing her life in the most heartwarming way.
Jenny Brown
11.28.23

In a heartwarming tale of unexpected motherhood, we delve into the story of Savanah Patt, a woman whose life took a remarkable turn when she discovered a young girl hiding in a skilled nursing facility.

This narrative, as reported by KFOR Oklahoma’s News 4, unfolds a series of events that began over a decade ago, revealing how a chance encounter can lead to life-altering connections.

YouTube - KFOR Oklahoma's News 4
Source:
YouTube - KFOR Oklahoma's News 4

Savanah, known for her dedication to seniors, was working in a nursing facility when she stumbled upon a startling scene.

Behind a recliner in one of the rooms, she found a small, terrified girl alongside an elderly resident who said it was her granddaughter.

This girl, Renlee, was just nine years old and had been hiding there for a week.

YouTube - KFOR Oklahoma's News 4
Source:
YouTube - KFOR Oklahoma's News 4

The backstory of how Renlee ended up in such a situation is as heartbreaking as it is shocking.

Renlee’s journey to the nursing home began in a hoarded trailer in Southeast Oklahoma City, where she lived in deplorable conditions with her older brother.

The children were surrounded by animals, filth, and neglect, a situation that no child should ever endure.

Their parents, struggling with addiction, had left them to fend for themselves, leading to Renlee seeking refuge with her grandmother in the nursing facility.

YouTube - KFOR Oklahoma's News 4
Source:
YouTube - KFOR Oklahoma's News 4

The depth of Renlee’s struggles was profound.

Not only was she living in squalor, but she was also forced to panhandle on street corners for drug money with her parents.

The neglect had reached a point where Renlee, infested with lice, couldn’t return to school, further isolating her from any semblance of a normal childhood.

YouTube - KFOR Oklahoma's News 4
Source:
YouTube - KFOR Oklahoma's News 4

It was in this moment of despair that Savanah stepped in to change the girl’s life.

Moved by Renlee’s plight, Savanah did something extraordinary – she asked Renlee if she could be her mother.

The mom told KFOR:

“I fell in love with her.”

The decision marked the beginning of a new chapter in both their lives, one filled with love, stability, and the promise of a better future.

YouTube - KFOR Oklahoma's News 4
Source:
YouTube - KFOR Oklahoma's News 4

The story doesn’t end with just Renlee’s adoption.

In a twist of fate, Savanah received a call a few years later about Renlee’s older sister, Cheyanne, who had been bouncing between relatives and acquaintances her entire life.

Savanah, without hesitation, extended her family once more, asking 13-year-old Cheyanne to join them.

This act of kindness not only united the sisters but also gave Cheyanne a chance at a stable, loving home.

YouTube - KFOR Oklahoma's News 4
Source:
YouTube - KFOR Oklahoma's News 4

The impact of Savanah’s decision on the girls’ lives has been monumental.

Both Renlee and Cheyanne became the first in their family to graduate high school, breaking the cycle of neglect and abuse that had plagued their family for generations.

Renlee, inspired by the love and care she received, is now pursuing a nursing degree, aiming to provide the same kind of support and compassion she received from Savanah.

YouTube - KFOR Oklahoma's News 4
Source:
YouTube - KFOR Oklahoma's News 4

Savanah’s decision to adopt Renlee and Cheyanne not only transformed their lives but also her own.

In choosing to love and care for these girls, she created a new family, one built on the foundations of choice, resilience, and unconditional love.

YouTube - KFOR Oklahoma's News 4
Source:
YouTube - KFOR Oklahoma's News 4

This story also sheds light on the broader issue of foster care and adoption in the United States.

With over 390,000 children and teens in foster care, stories like Renlee’s and Cheyanne’s highlight the urgent need for loving, permanent homes for these children.

Watch the video below to learn more about this beautiful family!

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