4-Year-Old Foster Child Adopted by Anesthesiologist After Arriving Alone for Heart Surgery

Amy Beethe, a pediatric cardiac anesthesiologist, and her husband Ryan adopted True and his older sister to keep the siblings together.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A 4-year-old foster child named True arrived at the hospital in Omaha, Nebraska for heart surgery with no one by his side. His anesthesiologist, Amy Beethe, was so moved by his story that she and her husband ended up adopting him, as well as True's older sister Laney, to keep the siblings together.

Why it matters

This heartwarming story highlights the challenges that some foster children face, having to undergo major medical procedures without any family support. It also showcases the compassion of medical professionals like Amy Beethe, who went above and beyond to ensure True's wellbeing and provide him with a loving, permanent home.

The details

True, a 4-year-old foster child, was struggling with complications from a previous open-heart surgery for his congenital heart disease. When he arrived at the hospital for additional surgery, his caseworker had COVID-19, leaving True to face the procedure alone. Amy Beethe, a pediatric cardiac anesthesiologist, was struck by True's situation and decided to get to know him better during his hospital stay. A month after his surgery, True was staying with Amy and her husband Ryan, who had previously fostered and adopted three children. The Beethes officially adopted True and also adopted his older sister Laney to keep the siblings together.

  • In January 2022, True arrived at the hospital alone for heart surgery.
  • A month after his surgery, True began staying with the Beethe family.
  • The Beethes officially adopted True and his older sister Laney.

The players

True

A 4-year-old foster child who underwent heart surgery at Children's Nebraska.

Amy Beethe

A pediatric cardiac anesthesiologist at Children's Nebraska who was moved by True's story and ended up adopting him.

Ryan Beethe

Amy's husband, who also adopted True and his older sister Laney.

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What they’re saying

“He was sitting there all alone and it just kind of took me aback that this 4-year-old was going to be undergoing heart surgery and just no one was there.”

— Amy Beethe, Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesiologist (KETV)

“We went up and met True in the hospital, and it didn't take long to fall in love with him and know that we needed him in our family.”

— Ryan Beethe (KETV)

“He's truly become my son. You know, I would battle for him like anybody else. You're a mama bear, and you fight hard.”

— Amy Beethe, Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesiologist (KETV)

“It's been good because they've been nice, they're caring. They're my mom and dad.”

— True (KETV)

What’s next

The Beethe family plans to continue providing a loving, supportive home for True and his older sister Laney as they grow up together.

The takeaway

This story demonstrates the power of compassion and the difference that one person can make in the life of a child in need. Amy Beethe's decision to adopt True and his sister has given them a stable, nurturing family environment, highlighting the positive impact that foster and adoptive parents can have.