Boy, 10, abandoned at fire station as infant receives birthday wish of meeting the fireman who saved him

By Daily Mail Reporter

PUBLISHED: 22:30 EST, 15 November 2012 | UPDATED: 23:07 EST, 15 November 2012


A Texas boy abandoned at a fire station as an infant got a special wish for his 10th birthday: Meeting the firefighter who saved him.

On Thursday evening, Koregan Quintanilla celebrated his recent birthday by meeting Arlington, firefighter Wesley Keck, riding on a fire truck and touring the station.

Koregan was left at the station in 2002 under Texas' Baby Moses law, which allows a parent to leave an unharmed infant up to 60 days old at a fire station or hospital with no questions asked.

His hero: Rebecca Quintanilla, center left, wipes tears from her face as her adopted son Koregan, 10, hugs Arlington Fire Fighter Wesley Keck in their first meeting since he was found at the station

His hero: Rebecca Quintanilla, center left, wipes tears from her face as her adopted son Koregan, 10, hugs Arlington Fire Fighter Wesley Keck in their first meeting since he was found at the station

Birthday wish: Koregan, pictured with Mr Keck, had grown up knowing he was adopted and having seen and read reports on his discovery making this moment one he's dreamed of for some time

Birthday wish: Koregan, pictured with Mr Keck, had grown up knowing he was adopted and having seen and read reports on his discovery making this moment one he's dreamed of for some time

Surprise: Koregan is seen in his carrier after found by Mr Mr Keck on a cold November morning

Surprise: Koregan is seen in his carrier after found by Mr Mr Keck on a cold November morning

Child Protective Services then takes custody of the babies. All states have similar laws, but Texas was the first to create one, signing it into law in 1999. It took effect in 2001.

Mr Keck said he was excited about seeing the boy for the first time since finding a baby carrier outside the station on a cold November morning.

'It was probably around freezing that morning, maybe a few degrees warmer,’ he recalled to KHOU.

 

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Catching sight of the baby carrier, he did a 'double take' before rushing outside into that cold.

'I was worried what I was going to see when I pulled the blanket back,' he admitted.

Moving it aside anyway, he saw the baby, 'sound asleep.'

Reunion: Now 10-years of age, Koregan took a short trip around the neighborhood on a fire truck and also had a tour of the station

Reunion: Now 10-years of age, Koregan took a short trip around the neighborhood on a fire truck and also had a tour of the station

He gently picked up the carrier and walked inside to tell his colleagues the shocking news, he said.

'I announced that somebody had left us a gift,' Mr Keck said on Thursday. 'I checked him out, and he seemed fine. I don't remember him crying. I held him, and he slept a lot.

'I have four kids, and some of the other firefighters are fathers, so taking care of babies wasn't new to us.'

Koregan's mother, Rebecca Quintanilla, said the 10-year-old has always known he's adopted and for years has watched TV news footage from when he was found at the fire station.

This year, when his teacher asked students where they wanted to go more than anywhere else in the world, Koregan said 'my fire station,' his mother said. So, she tracked down the firefighter and planned a reunion.

Strapped in: Since 2009 43 babies like Koregan have been dropped off at first stations and hospitals in Texas putting them in the care of Child Protective Services

Strapped in: Since 2009 43 babies like Koregan have been dropped off at first stations and hospitals in Texas putting them in the care of Child Protective Services

'He's a very good kid, kind, shy, and he's always giving things away to people,' Mrs Quintanilla said. 'After talking to Mr Keck, I think he's like that. I do believe Koregan has some traits from Mr Keck, although he just spent a few hours with him.'

Since 2009, 43 babies have been dropped off at fire stations and hospitals in Texas, the most recent figures available, said Marissa Gonzales, a spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

Mrs Quintanilla, who has five other children, all adopted, said she is grateful for the Baby Moses law.

'It's amazing, because there are terrified women who have no idea what to do,' she said. 'There's a window of time when they can make a choice.'

Mr Keck, a firefighter for 26 years, agreed.

'I'm happy the way it turned out,' he said. 'I didn't do anything special. I happened to be in the right place at the right time.'

 
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Awesome story-thanks, DM!

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Tears! Tears! What a wonderful story. This is a great law and it removes finger pointing and judgement for women who are in dire straits.

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Texas' Baby Moses law, which allows a parent to leave an unharmed infant up to 60 days old at a fire station or hospital with no questions asked. -------WTH , America is one ucked up country - frank priest, Ashington - - - - - Mr. Priest, sorry you hate my country so much, but somehow I'm guessing it has nothing to do with this particular law. Safe haven laws have protected unwanted children from coast to coast for many years here in the States. None of us know what prompted this woman to leave her child - she may have been a scared teen, she may have already had too many mouths to feed, she may have been in an abusive relationship - who knows. What we do know is she was unselfish & gave her baby the ultimate gift of love by letting him be adopted & lead a happy, productive life with parents who want him. We read so many horror stories about women abusing & killing their unwanted kids that it's refreshing to know that many are saved from the same awful fate thanks to these laws.

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So glad he was not killed and can now grow up and live his life. God bless the birth mother, wherever she is, the adoptive mother and this kind firefighter. And God bless this precious little boy as well.

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What a brave handsome little man! Such a heart warming story.

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this reduced me to tears... what a lovely happy ending.. thank goodness these stations are allowing this to be available to mothers unable to cope.. What a handsome young man.. well done to all x

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What a lovely story

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Since it's legal to 'drop off'' a newborn at a fire station....why did the birth mother leave her baby outside in freezing temperatures instead of taking him inside?? Its great that she left him in a relatively safe area knowing he would be found....eventually....but why risk leaving him outside like that?

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What a great story, good to see there is still decent honest people in the world.

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Wow. Wonder if the birth mother got to see this. Glad for the happy ending and maybe some closure for her too.

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