Five months ago, baby Robert had a slim chance of leading a healthy life. His mother Nicole was a heroin addict and she didn't even know she was pregnant with her "miracle baby" until Deputy Jacob Trujillo stepped in.
One day, Nicole was going in and out of her car with her partner on a New Mexico street. She was high, in distress, and sobbing when someone called the police to the scene.
"We were parked on the side of the road and, um, honestly, I just remember bits and pieces of that day," Nicole explained.
Deputy Trujillo arrived and arrested her. Later on, Nicole was sent to the hospital to get everything checked out. Then she was given some bittersweet news.
Nicole was told she was pregnant, something she wouldn't have guessed in a million years.
If it weren't for her arrest, further damage could have been done to her unborn child without her even realizing. That was the moment she and her partner decided to get clean, not only for themselves, but for the child they were going to have.
"We were really determined and after we started getting the help, I saw how strong we were at it, how good we were doing," Nicole recalls of her initial steps toward recovery. "We just took it day by day."
The struggle was well worth it. The couple happily brought baby Robert into the world, as healthy as a newborn could be.
Deputy Trujillo was more than supportive, checking up on them several times during their recovery and even bringing them boxes of diapers for their new baby.
To thank the deputy for his overwhelming support — and for the arrest that saved their lives — they made it their mission to give back.
The couple told Deputy Trujillo that they needed to see him right away.
With urgency, he walks into an unexpected situation.
"You helped save our lives, our baby's life, and help get us our families back," Nicole tells him. "We just wanted to give a little back to you."
The couple, with help from the Pay It 4ward Program, hands a sealed envelope to the deputy. Find out what they give him in the video below!
Also, don't forget to SHARE this heartwarming story about giving back with the people you are most thankful for!
