An Arizona police officer adopted a 4-year-old girl he comforted while on duty.
Recently, Brian Zach, lieutenant of the Kingman Police Department, and his wife, Cierra, became parents to 4-year-old Kaila.
While in March 2018, Zach and his officers got a call to check Kaila’s residence who is a survivor of abuse. That night Kaila and Zach spent time bonding, “We colored, we snacked, she held my hand and she was just this cute little thing.”
“Once detectives came, they picked her up and took her to the hospital,” he said. Zach a dad-of-two went home after spending hours with Kaila and told his wife that he wanted her to live with them.
Kaila was being treated for multiple injuries as a result of physical abuse and criminal charges were filed against her caretakers. When child protective services couldn’t find immediate placement for Kaila, he and Cierra stepped in.
“She came with a sippy cup, a bag of clothes that didn’t fit her, and that was it,” Zach adds. “Within the second day she was calling my wife ‘mom’ or ‘mommy,'” he added. “I was ‘guy’ for a week or two and then when she started preschool she learned who the dad was,” Zach.
On Aug. 18, 30 months after she came into their care, they officially adopted Kaila at Mohave County Superior Court in Lake Havasu City.
“We lived each week not knowing if she was going to go back to her biological parents, or how long we were going to keep her.”
“Our goal was to love and care for this little girl for as long as it happened,” Zach.
Kingman Police Department’s chief of police Rusty Cooper said- “Lt Brian Zach’s commitment to public safety is exemplified in his commitment and love for Kaila. “Both Brian and his wife Cierra are amazing parents.”
“They are committed to the service of others and a cause that is greater than themselves, we are proud of Brian and thankful that he and his family are part of the Kingman Police Department.” Copper.
Zach said Kaila enjoys preschool, animals, dancing and make-believe play when going on “cruises vacations” in her cardboard box.
“She is so comical, she is so witty,” he added. “She’s just a character.”
Zach has a simple message to families who want to adopt- do not be afraid of the process because it’s “well worth it.”
