When Natalie dialed Tapestry Adoption’s 24-hour emergency line, her hand trembled. She hung up before a voice could answer.

She called again – then hung up once more.

On the third try, she finally found the courage to speak.

“Samantha was like a light in the dark,” Natalie said later, remembering the intake specialist who answered her call.

Natalie’s newborn had spent four months in the NICU and was finally ready to be released. But social services made it clear—Natalie could not take her baby home.

A Race Against Time

Suddenly, our team was faced with a time-sensitive crisis: a medically fragile infant in need of placement before hospital discharge. There were legal uncertainties and no known information about the birth father. Still, we needed a family who could say “yes” with almost no notice.

These are what we call emergency placements—not routine, but very real and very urgent.

At Tapestry Adoption, we sometimes work with limited medical and background information. In these situations, we rely on birth parents’ honesty while collaborating with:

• Child Protective Services (CPS)
• Hospital social workers
• Medical staff
• Legal counsel

Adopting in the Unknown

When substance use is a factor, CPS is automatically involved. We work with all parties to find a safe and loving home as quickly as possible – even when the full picture isn’t yet clear.

If you’re a prospective adoptive family that needs detailed histories and time to process information, urgent placements might not be the right fit for you.

However, if you can step forward in uncertain moments, we invite you to be part of these rare but critical situations.

Learn more about becoming an emergency adoptive family

A Connection That Continues

Despite the uncertainty and urgency, Natalie was quickly matched with a compassionate adoptive family. Today, they continue to send her photos, letters, and regular updates – proof that meaningful connections can form even in the most rushed situations.

What You Might Not Know (Yet) When You’re Asked to Say “Yes”

In emergency placements, you may be matched before we have:

• Substance Use Information: Was the baby exposed to drugs or alcohol during pregnancy?
• Medical History: What’s known about the baby’s or birth family’s medical background?
• Birth Father Risk: Is the father involved? Has he consented to the adoption?
• Baby’s Condition: Was the child premature? Is there evidence of medical complications?

Explore what to expect in an at-risk adoption

Final Thoughts

These situations don’t arise every week – but they do arise.
And when they do, we rely on families who can act with courage and compassion on short notice.

If you believe you’re one of those families, we encourage you to reach out.

Contact us today or call our 24/7 hotline to learn more.

Because sometimes, the phone rings when you least expect it. And sometimes, that moment changes lives forever.