Orphaned Infant With Severe Burns Finds Forever Home 7 Years After Apartment Fire

Deyvion was just a tiny baby, lying in his bassinet, when a devastating fire tore through the apartment where he slept. Firefighters rushed in and rescued him from the blaze, but he was left with horrific burns covering his face.

It was nothing short of a miracle that he survived, but this courageous little boy from Missouri still faced an incredibly difficult journey. He began his recovery in a specialized burn unit, undergoing treatments and therapies that helped him fight his way back to health. Through it all, Deyvion endured the challenges without the comfort of parents by his side, navigating the pain and uncertainty of a hospital and foster system entirely on his own.

It wasn’t until he was five years old that he finally found a foster parent who could provide him with love and stability. Beth Plunkett, a single mother of two, became his foster mom.

“I thought he was a beautiful little boy, and I fell in love with him very quickly,” Beth told WGN9 News. She added, “I feel like everybody says, ‘Oh, he’s so lucky to have you and what you’re doing,’ but I’m just as lucky to have him.”

After waiting 2,545 days without a family to call his own, Deyvion was officially adopted by Beth. The adoption marked a monumental turning point in his life, giving him the home, love, and security he had long been missing.

Beth shared her hopes and dreams for him: “I want him to be, most importantly, just happy. I want him to always feel loved, to have goals, and to reach them, and to do amazing, amazing things. I know he will… God definitely has an awesome plan for him.”

Deyvion not only gained a devoted mother and siblings who love him, but he also received recognition and admiration from the firefighters who had saved his life. Deputy Chief Eric Smith of the South Metro Fire Department in Raymore, along with his crew, never forgot that night. On the day of Deyvion’s adoption, they gave him a custom jacket and hat made just for him and even gave him and his mom a ride in their fire truck to the court office, making the moment of the adoption even more unforgettable.

Smith celebrated the occasion with a high five and heartfelt words: “He’s extremely special. We don’t always understand why things happen, but we do now.”

Now, Deyvion will always be surrounded by love and care. He’s a brave, sweet, and resilient little boy who has been through unimaginable hardship and now deserves every bit of happiness that comes his way. His story is a testament to courage, compassion, and the transformative power of love.

It’s the kind of story that reminds us why acts of kindness, patience, and dedication matter so profoundly. Deyvion’s journey—from surviving a tragic fire, enduring years in foster care, and ultimately being embraced by a loving family—deserves to be celebrated and shared. His life today is a beacon of hope, showing how care, perseverance, and unwavering love can help a child overcome even the most harrowing beginnings.

Let’s continue to share his story far and wide. Deyvion is not just a survivor; he is a true inspiration, a reminder of the incredible resilience of the human spirit, and a testament to the love and devotion that can transform a life.