Taylor and Drew Deras, a married couple working as NICU nurses in Omaha, Nebraska, met a premature baby named Ella during their shifts at the hospital.
Ella was born at just 23 weeks and spent eight months in intensive care, requiring constant medical attention as she faced serious complications.
During that time, the couple helped care for her through critical stages of her recovery, forming a connection as they watched her progress.
After her hospital stay, Ella became a ward of the state, and the couple made the decision to become her foster parents.
They brought her home and continued supporting her development outside the hospital environment.
Over time, their role shifted from caregivers to family.
After nearly two years, they officially adopted Ella in November 2023.
Today, she continues to grow and reach developmental milestones, with the couple remaining part of her journey beyond the NICU.
Source: Reports on Taylor and Drew Deras adoption story (Nebraska, USA)
Taylor and Drew Deras, a married couple working as Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurses at Methodist Women’s Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, met baby Ella when she was born in May 2021.
- The Fight for Survival: Ella was born incredibly prematurely at just 23 weeks, weighing a fragile 1 lb 2 oz. She spent eight months in intensive care on a ventilator, battling bleeding, breathing failures, and multiple medical crises. At times, doctors doubted she would survive the night.
- The Caregiver Bond: Taylor was assigned to Ella’s care. Whenever she or Drew had downtime during their shifts, they would hold her, comfort her, and read to her.
- Becoming a Ward of the State: Ella’s biological mother, who was in her early 20s and struggled with housing and employment, visited less frequently as Ella stabilized. In December 2021, Ella officially became a ward of the state. Knowing her extensive medical history and exact needs, Taylor and Drew immediately stepped up to become her foster parents.
- The Adoption: After fostering her for nearly two years, the couple officially adopted her on National Adoption Day in November 2023. More than 40 family members and hospital staff filled the courtroom. When the judge declared her name to be Ella Marie Deras, the little girl famously cheered, “Yay!”
How Ella is Today
Today, Ella is a walking, talking preschooler who continues to defy her early medical prognoses:
- Meeting Milestones: Though she was initially not expected to walk or talk, she has hit her major developmental milestones. She can walk, count, and loves reading books.
- Ongoing Therapies: She continues to participate in weekly speech and physical therapies to manage the lingering effects of her premature birth.
- Starting School: Her parents describe her as smart, sweet, and incredibly determined, and she is happily preparing to attend preschool.
