• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • Family
  • Good News

17-year-old is adopted after 3,739 days in foster care and 24 different homes

1:16
17-year-old adopted after 3,739 days in foster care
Haili Holstein
ByNicole Pelletiere
November 18, 2020, 5:10 PM

A 17-year-old has found a forever home after spending a decade in the foster care system.

Akyra Holstein was adopted in Kentucky on Sept. 25 by Katie Holstein. Akyra had gone through 24 different placements over 3,739 days.

"The thing I love about her most is how resilient she is," Katie Holstein told "Good Morning America." "Even though she's been in foster care for so long only to be disappointed, she took a chance on me and my family and let herself be loved again."

Holstein began fostering children in August 2017. She's assisted other foster parents with respite care, where she'd take in foster kids on a short-term basis.

Editor’s Picks

5 siblings adopted together after being separated in foster care

  • Jul 20, 2020

Single dad who grew up in foster care adopts 5 siblings

  • Nov 04, 2020

Dad writes 270 lunchbox notes to daughter for each day he’s deployed

  • Nov 17, 2020

Related Articles

MORE: Single mom of 3 who scrubs floors during overnight shift adopts 2 siblings

Akyra came into Holstein's care in March 2019 through respite care.

PHOTO: Akyra Holstein was adopted in Kentucky on Sept. 25 by Katie Holstein. Akyra had gone through 24 different placements over 3,739 days. Thomas Holstein, 1, was also adopted the same day via Zoom.
Akyra Holstein was adopted in Kentucky on Sept. 25 by Katie Holstein. Akyra had gone through 24 different placements over 3,739 days. Thomas Holstein, 1, was also adopted the same day via Zoom. Family, friends and Akyra's case worker were all present for the event, which was captured on Zoom video.
Haili Holstein

"Then she came again in March 2020 for the last time, and she stayed," Holstein said. "She'd been here for a couple months at that point and I couldn't imagine her not be here."

Holstein was fostering several children when she began the adoption process for Akyra -- including a baby named Thomas, whom she also fell in love with.

She took a chance on me and my family and let herself be loved again.

"He was 6 days old and spent a little time in the NICU," Holtein said, adding that she nicknamed Thomas "Tiny." "When he came to me he was itty bitty and it kind of stuck."

Akyra Holstein was adopted in Kentucky on Sept. 25 by Katie Holstein. Akyra had gone through 24 different placements over 3,739 days.
Haili Holstein

Holstein adopted both Akyra and 1-year-old Thomas on the same day, at the request of Akyra, via Zoom. Family, friends and Akyra's case worker were all present for the event, which was captured on Zoom video.

Akyra Holstein was adopted in Kentucky on Sept. 25 by Katie Holstein. Akyra had gone through 24 different placements over 3,739 days. Thomas Holstein, 1, was also adopted the same day via Zoom.
Haili Holstein

Related Articles

MORE: Single dad adopts 13-year-old who was abandoned 2 years earlier at hospital

"She would walk through fire for that kid," Holtein said of Akyra's case worker. "I firmly believe Akyra is as strong as she is because she had her in her corner."

Akyra Holstein was adopted in Kentucky on Sept. 25 by Katie Holstein. Akyra had gone through 24 different placements over 3,739 days. Thomas Holstein, 1, was also adopted the same day via Zoom, at the request of Akyra.
Haili Holstein

Holtein said Akyra will graduate high school in May. Although mom wants her to stay home and attend community college, Akyra wants to go away and prepare for a career in law enforcement.

Related Topics

  • Good News

Editor’s Picks

5 siblings adopted together after being separated in foster care

  • Jul 20, 2020

Single dad who grew up in foster care adopts 5 siblings

  • Nov 04, 2020

Dad writes 270 lunchbox notes to daughter for each day he’s deployed

  • Nov 17, 2020

Up Next in Family—

Is it so bad to let kids 'rot' all summer? Why boredom might be the break they need

June 20, 2025

Mother meets boy who received late son's heart in emotional wedding moment

June 20, 2025

Bruce Willis' wife Emma Heming says she feels 'profoundly sad' on Father's Day

June 15, 2025

Over 18,000 Bugaboo high chairs voluntarily recalled due to potential fall hazard

June 13, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News