Officer Who Saved At-Risk Baby Does The Incredible 25 Years Later
20. An Officer
To be a police officer one has to be brave, righteous, and should have a kind heart. Officers are asked to do things that no civilian could fathom doing and officer Michael Buelna is one who graciously stepped up to the plate. In 1989, he saved one child’s life and it would bond the two forever…
19. November 21st, 1989
On November 21st, 1989 Officer Michael Buelna from Santa Ana, California. He was investigating an unrelated crime when he walked past a dumpster and heard the cry of a newborn. Frantically searching, he discovered the baby on the ground behind the garbage…
18. Neighbors
Nearby neighbors had heard a baby crying but weren’t able to locate it. Luckily, Buelna located the child because it was a rather chilly California night. The stabbing he was investigating suddenly took a backseat, as he now had a newborn baby that had been abandoned. Who could do such a thing…
17. Horrible Shape
To his surprise, the baby looked like it had been birthed and dropped right then and there. The umbilical cord was still attached, he was covered in mucus, and there was dirt and garbage covering him. He could tell the baby was weak and new he had to act fast if he wanted to save this child…
16. Mouth To Mouth
In fact, the baby’s breathing was so shallow, that the officer had to give him mouth to mouth to help give the child strength. Luckily, the baby was responding to the officer’s efforts, which bought him a little more time. Buelna didn’t want to wait for an ambulance, so he rushed the baby to a nearby hospital.
15. Saving His Life
Fortunately, doctors were able to save the infant with some TLC and the extraordinary efforts of both officer Buelna and the medical staff. On the way to the hospital, Buelna decided it was only appropriate that the baby be given a name. So as he saw fit, he named him Adam…
14. A Connection
Adam and Buelna had an instant connection, and soon the baby that only weighed four pounds, was healthy and growing as expected. It was time to get started finding Adam the perfect home, which wasn’t going to be easy. And although the two had formed a special bond, Buelna wasn’t in any shape to adopt a baby. Or was he…
13. So Much Love To Go Around
The connection was so strong, that Buelna decided he did want to adopt the precious little boy. He couldn’t fathom how anyone would give up such a gift, but before he had the chance to start the process, another family was given the opportunity…
12. Elizabeth Barton And Daniel Fernandez
The adoptive parents Elizabeth Barton and Daniel Fernandez lived in Orange County and were ready to become loving parents. They decided to name the child Robin, instead of Adam. Robin was about to start a life that would make him gasp at the idea of being left behind…
11. Robin Barton
The infant is now known as Robin Barton and was given an amazing life. His parents decided not to tell him of his horrific entrance into this world because they wanted him to grow up happy and unaware that someone could do such a thing to him. They just wanted him to know how much they love him.
10. Old Enough To Know
It wasn’t until Robin was 24, that his parents decided to tell him the whole story. It was hard for them to tell, and hard for him to hear. After hearing the infamously terrifying ordeal, he knew he had to meet the man that saved him.
9. The Retired Officer
For most of Robin’s life, Buelna continued to work on the police force, but never forgot this chance encounter. He went on to have a successful career and helped many more people, but this special connection could never be recreated. He eventually retired, but never forgot about that tiny baby…
8. The Meeting
The 25-year-old Robin had spent some time of his own researching Buelna and was waiting until the right moment to make contact. This meeting was going to be emotional, so it took some time to build the courage. Robin, with his parents at his side, went to go reunite with the man that saved his life all those years ago…
7. Joyous Reunion
The two embraced and talked for hours when they reunited. They chatted about life experiences, passions, likes and dislikes. Amazingly, the two had much more in common than they ever thought possible. As it turns out, Buelna was just like Robin…
6. Abandoned At Birth
It turns out, Buelna was also abandoned by his mother at an extremely young age. He was forced to enter the foster care system and knows first-hand just how bad it can be. Both men were sharing how happy they were that Robin’s story is a happy one. Buelna reassured the young man it was not just his duty, but his pleasure.
5. The First Time
This was the first time either had seen one another since that fateful day in 1989, and it was a tearful reunion. Robin’s parents were so happy to meet the man that saved their son, as they never had the opportunity to thank him first hand. There were a couple things that Robin had to know though…
4. Birth Mother
Robin has been extremely vocal about how lucky and blessed he is. He graciously details how his parents and officer Buelna gave him a life he would never have had otherwise, but still has a burning question: who is his birth mother?
3. Forgiveness
Although what Robin’s birth mother did was unforgivable to many, for him, it was easy. He stated that he forgave her a long time ago, knowing that she must have been young and in a compromising position. Even though she abandoned him, he’s been looking for her for the last 15 years…
2. Offering A Hand
Buelna realizing how important this information was to Robin, offered to help him find his birth parents. After all, he was a former police officer with connections in the force. After a couple months of searching, the two found information Robin’s mother. Her name–Sabrina Diaz.
1. Closure
Ms Diaz had a troubled life; she had served many years in prison for child endangerment charges, that were also linked to an attempted murder. After her prison stints, Ms Diaz was deported to Mexico. Robin was able to talk to her on the phone, and gained the closure he was searching for. But then, a man reached out to him, explaining he was his biological father.
Robin was able to meet his biological father, and five sisters as well. He now has more family than he every imagined possible.