Family is not defined by blood, but by love. When little Princeton was born to a drug-addicted mother, weighing just a pound and suffering from Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, Keia Jones-Baldwin and her husband Ricardo decided to take him in, despite initially planning to adopt older children.
Through the Baby Cuddlers Program, Keia met Princeton and their bond was instant. She cared for him daily, eventually bringing him home once he was strong enough. The Baldwins, along with their three children, fell in love with Princeton and officially adopted him two years later.
“My foster care supervisor called and said, ‘Is there any way you can go to the hospital and do skin-to-skin with a baby?’” Jones-Baldwin told TODAY Parents. “She began to go there every day to look after the baby.
People have reported them twice for kidnapping
Despite the love the Baldwins have for Princeton, they have faced racism from people who believe a white child doesn’t belong in their African-American home. They have been reported twice for allegedly kidnapping Princeton, experiencing judgement and discrimination.
“I don’t look at family as blood. I look at family as love,” Keia said. “When Princeton came into our lives, he came into our hearts. Love conquers all.”
Love will conquer it all
Keia runs a blog, Raising Cultures, where she shares their journey with Princeton. The family faces challenges but believes in love overcoming all boundaries, including race. Princeton has brought joy and laughter into their lives, forming an unbreakable bond with his siblings.
Best of luck to the Baldwin family, proving that love knows no color.
