Officer Meets A Beaten-Up Toddler During Welfare Check, Decides To Give Her His Heart And His Home
An Arizona police officer and his wife have officially adopted a little girl after the officer helped her to get away from abuse.
Kingman Police Department lieutenant Brian Zach was a patrol sergeant in March of 2018 when he was called to little Kaila’s home who at the time had suffered abuse and multiple injuries at the hands of her caretakers.
Brian comforted Kaila while they waited for detectives to come to take her to the hospital. “We colored, we snacked … she held my hand and she was just this cute little thing,” Zach told Good Morning America. “Once detectives came, they picked her up and took her to the hospital.”
Image credits: Brian Zach
Zach, a father to two other children, went home after spending hours with Kaila and told his wife all about it, expressing that he wanted the girl to come to live with them.
Meanwhile, Kaila was being treated for multiple injuries as a result of physical abuse. According to Zach, criminal charges were filed against her caretakers.
Image credits: Brian Zach
When child protective services couldn’t find immediate placement for Kaila, Zach and Cierra stepped in. “She came with a sippy cup, a bag of clothes that didn’t fit her and that was it,” the policeman said.
“Within the second day she was calling my wife ‘mom’ or ‘mommy,'” he recalled. “I was ‘guy’ for a week or two and then when she started preschool she learned who ‘dad’ was.”
Image credits: Brian Zach
Image credits: Brian Zach
“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,” Zach explained. “Our goal was to love and care for this little girl for as long as it happened.”
Kingman Police Department’s chief of police Rusty Cooper said that lieutenant Brian Zach’s commitment to public safety is exemplified in his commitment and love for Kaila, adding that both Brian and his wife Cierra are amazing parents.
Image credits: Brian Zach
“They are committed to the service of others and a cause that is greater than themselves,” Copper added. “We are proud of Brian and thankful that he and his family are part of the Kingman Police Department.”
Image credits: Brian Zach
On the 18th of August, roughly 30 months after Kaila came into Brian and Cierra’s care, the Zachs officially adopted Kaila at Mohave County Superior Court in Lake Havasu City.
Her dad said Kaila enjoys preschool, animals, dancing, and make-believe play when going on ‘cruises vacations’ in her cardboard box. The mindset for a global pandemic!
“She is so comical, she is so witty. She’s just a character.”
Image credits: Brian Zach
Image credits: Brian Zach
Image credits: Brian Zach
Image credits: Brian Zach
To find out more about Brian and Kaila, check out the video below
Here is what people said after hearing their heartwarming story
I wish I could adopt all the mistreated, abused, neglected children of the world... :(
I wish I could burn the abusers to a crisp so they never hurt a beautiful innocent child again.
@BabaBizzle - you know what.. I can support this kind of violence.
The extra sad thing is that often abusers were themselves abused as children. That doesn't excuse them, but it is what makes them think that abuse is natural.
me too!!!!!!!!
I do too, and I plan to look into fostering next year when I get a big enough place to live
I hear you. But foster carers are always needed and something that gets overlooked. It's hard, but also a real way to help if you are in a position to be able to (not everyone is, of course!).
I'm so happy little girl is now happy and safe, we need more those feel good stories <3
I'm so happy to see her safe and thriving.
I have to stop crying. I think I have something in my eye. If you watch the video, it seems that she chose them as much as they chose her.
Bless you Officer and Mrs Zach and your family for welcoming Kaila into your home. She seems like the happiest and sweetest girl now.
There is no excuse for violence - be it physical or psychological - against children.
Hans like
iris-didini easy
You pesky onion ninjas!
I'm not crying, you're crying.
Anyone can be a father, but not everyone can be a dad. I applaud this man and wish him and his family nothing but happiness.
"He might've been your father, boy. But he wasn't your daddy" - Yondu
Anta Babb what
soulreaper2557 yes
Anta Babb haha
andreajmckim what
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️😭😭😭😭☺️😂☺️😭☺️😭☺️😭😭😭☺️😭☺️
Oh, that is incredibly wholesome. I LOVE it. There needs to be more people in the world like him.
This is a really sweet story and I am happy they were able to provide her with an amazing home. It just makes me sad though as there are thousands in the foster care system that are not so fortunate. It takes a long time and a lot of money to adopt.
If you adopt through fostering, it does not cost anything. At least in the USA. Speaking as a former foster parent.
Amazing officer, even more amazing dad!
Wonderful story. Darling little girl and beautiful family. Thank you for not only your bravery and commitment to serve and protect but, for opening your home, heart, and family.
I don't know... forcing the poor girl to wear crocs? He needs to be investigated! Actually congrats, I am happy for them.
J. Normal like
As an abused child myself, I cannot thank this wonderful family enough. Look how happy she is. See? There ARE good police folk out there!
Soooooo mad. How could anybody lay a hand on that beautiful little defenseless baby girl. I have a daughter her age sleeping right now and want to wake her up and hug her. Thank goodness her birth parents didn’t get her back.
I'm so happy the little girl.got adopted and is with such a good family!!!
Omg my heart- it just exploded QwQ
I think she's wearing my sisters school uniform
Klaus Hargreeves -
This little girl is now so happy and can look forward to a wonderful loving life with a wonderful family and leave all the trauma behind her.
Such a beautiful little girl! (She's also a natural model. She knows how to "vogue" for the camera.) 😊
A legend! 👮♂️
This kind of thing happens all the time but I'm really surprised it's come out publicly. For one thing, she's a minor and this story just told everyone a lot of her history. It paints her biological parents in a bad light which could lead to a court case against those involved in this story. Hell, it could lead to a court case from the girl herself when she's older because her personal health information was shared. In this instance, no one has the right to share that information except the state which is now her legal guardian, and only then in a case of need. The reason I'm pointing this out is simply to give reason as to why these stories typically aren't shared. It's a legality issue, it's not at all because it doesn't happen. However, I'm glad she's at a good home right now regardless of how common this sort of story is. It's good to celebrate where we can. She's such a cute little girl.
One of my very best friends is a foster parent. She's had a lot of heartbreak. One in particular comes to mind where, despite literal broken bones, a kiddo STILL keeps going back to bio parents. She's also had some wins though. She and her husband finally have a clear path to adopt their second little girl. The first was a very expensive years long battle that ended in tears of joy when they were finally able to sign the papers.
May I ask why it was expensive? I did foster care (USA) and it did not have to cost anything. I choose to buy some things out of pocket. But that was my choice. The money is there in the system.
I wish they all where so lucky and I'm happy for them :)
Such a beautiful little girl! So happy she will be loved and well taken care of.😊💕
10000000000 Bravo!!!!!!!!
I will never understand how people can harm innocent children. These babies didn't ask to be here, they don't ask for nothing but to be loved. Thanks God's for the few protecting the innocent
What a lovely story and full marks to the officer and his wife for giving this beautiful, innocent little girl a loving home. She looks so happy now.
Heartwarming
This post proves that 2020 is not a total horror.
Certainly one of BP's Top Ten posts of 2020.
Blood relationships sometimes don't mean a thing. It's often the people you pick deliberately who end up being your family.
This made 2020 end well.
What a Great Tribute to Law Enforcement Officers and a Blessing to one very Fortunate Sweet Little Girl
The best Christmas story for this precious child. kudos to this wonderful kind policeman.
that's heartwarming
Damn, these onion cutting ninjas!
This is such a happy outcome, I'm crying. What a lovely family!
She is adorable. Keep her safe good sir. Your wife and yourself are the kind of people this world needs.
What kind of a monster are you if you're abusing such an small and innocent child? He's her guardian angel <3 I'm so happy he was the one called out to check on her!
What a heartbreaking situation that little girl lived through, before this wonderful man and his family stepped up to save her. There are far, far too many cases like this that end in tragedy, and I find it horrifying that animals and property have more rights and protection under the law than children do. Our society is diseased.
Beautiful and touching story. Gave me goosebumps.
I really needed this!
The parents are awesome. The teenage boy seems like he's headed for trouble flashing gang signs.
The process to get to foster is so very long, how did they just get to keep her?
He was most likely given an emergency temporary foster license or temporary guardianship because he is a police officers. Police objectives meet all the requirements to become a foster parent in the state of Arizona.
I would think the background check part was easy since he’s a cop. They just had to check the wife’s history. The article said there was nowhere to place the girl, so that probably sped things up. Having someone willing to take her, social services probably fast tracked all the interviews, home inspections, etc. There’s always a shortage of foster families, unfortunately.
Not everywhere is long. It just depends on the circumstances and the state you're in.
Katrina B. like
Helen Haley Good response!
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Come on BP if you've conditioned us to anything it's that COPS are INHERENTLY BAD. Next you'll be telling us Trump supporters love their families and donate to charities. This is not the fabricated feel- good type of stories I come here for to reinforce my stereotypes!
It's a great story because it's not the normal "cops are bad" story. in a group of people who don't make sense, look at the individuals and you will see that they all have stories, and are doing the best they can. people want to be good, I think. Some have just lost their way.
Novart was being sarcastic Abhainn.
Actually this is the exact kind of story meant to dilute the situation and make people forget. You just took the bait. The “all cops are bad” thing is not a prevalent enough sentiment.
@Mewton's Third Paw, yeah all cops are bad, exactly like all Muslims are terrorists. You really see the world only in extremes, don't you? It would probably be too complex for you to handle otherwise. Generalizations always make me so damn sick.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Coppaganda
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
BUT, BUT THE LIBERALS SAY A.C.A.B...
Calm down Jay, you are loved.
@Jay- We would never say that because we speak coherent English.
Liberals don’t say that anyway. Progressives do.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
DeFund Police!!!
FFS Do you Trumptards have to try and destroy EVERYTHING? This isn't about you and your politics
Thing is, “defund” only refers to budgeting, to reduce the purchase of military grade equipment that has no place in law enforcement. What the movement is really about is changing policy and training to direct it away from the “ shoot first and ask questions later” training and attitude that’s been fostered for the last several decades. We want it turned away from the authoritarian and toward the authoritative—-back to the true meaning of “protect and serve”. Be careful of merely parroting catchphrases before really understanding the true meaning of what they represent.
Trumptards do not want to defund the police. If you're going to insult someone's politics maybe don't pick the other end of the political spectrum.
I want cake Good response!
Well said. Trim those eyebrows, son.
I’m progressive and I agree with Marina and I think this is the most appropriate time to say so. When the right sends copaganda like this around, it’s important to stick to your values and not act like some weak liberal in name only like Pelosi. How is it not about politics? Stop being such a bîtch.
Marina Sverlovska no
I wish I could adopt all the mistreated, abused, neglected children of the world... :(
I wish I could burn the abusers to a crisp so they never hurt a beautiful innocent child again.
@BabaBizzle - you know what.. I can support this kind of violence.
The extra sad thing is that often abusers were themselves abused as children. That doesn't excuse them, but it is what makes them think that abuse is natural.
me too!!!!!!!!
I do too, and I plan to look into fostering next year when I get a big enough place to live
I hear you. But foster carers are always needed and something that gets overlooked. It's hard, but also a real way to help if you are in a position to be able to (not everyone is, of course!).
I'm so happy little girl is now happy and safe, we need more those feel good stories <3
I'm so happy to see her safe and thriving.
I have to stop crying. I think I have something in my eye. If you watch the video, it seems that she chose them as much as they chose her.
Bless you Officer and Mrs Zach and your family for welcoming Kaila into your home. She seems like the happiest and sweetest girl now.
There is no excuse for violence - be it physical or psychological - against children.
Hans like
iris-didini easy
You pesky onion ninjas!
I'm not crying, you're crying.
Anyone can be a father, but not everyone can be a dad. I applaud this man and wish him and his family nothing but happiness.
"He might've been your father, boy. But he wasn't your daddy" - Yondu
Anta Babb what
soulreaper2557 yes
Anta Babb haha
andreajmckim what
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️😭😭😭😭☺️😂☺️😭☺️😭☺️😭😭😭☺️😭☺️
Oh, that is incredibly wholesome. I LOVE it. There needs to be more people in the world like him.
This is a really sweet story and I am happy they were able to provide her with an amazing home. It just makes me sad though as there are thousands in the foster care system that are not so fortunate. It takes a long time and a lot of money to adopt.
If you adopt through fostering, it does not cost anything. At least in the USA. Speaking as a former foster parent.
Amazing officer, even more amazing dad!
Wonderful story. Darling little girl and beautiful family. Thank you for not only your bravery and commitment to serve and protect but, for opening your home, heart, and family.
I don't know... forcing the poor girl to wear crocs? He needs to be investigated! Actually congrats, I am happy for them.
J. Normal like
As an abused child myself, I cannot thank this wonderful family enough. Look how happy she is. See? There ARE good police folk out there!
Soooooo mad. How could anybody lay a hand on that beautiful little defenseless baby girl. I have a daughter her age sleeping right now and want to wake her up and hug her. Thank goodness her birth parents didn’t get her back.
I'm so happy the little girl.got adopted and is with such a good family!!!
Omg my heart- it just exploded QwQ
I think she's wearing my sisters school uniform
Klaus Hargreeves -
This little girl is now so happy and can look forward to a wonderful loving life with a wonderful family and leave all the trauma behind her.
Such a beautiful little girl! (She's also a natural model. She knows how to "vogue" for the camera.) 😊
A legend! 👮♂️
This kind of thing happens all the time but I'm really surprised it's come out publicly. For one thing, she's a minor and this story just told everyone a lot of her history. It paints her biological parents in a bad light which could lead to a court case against those involved in this story. Hell, it could lead to a court case from the girl herself when she's older because her personal health information was shared. In this instance, no one has the right to share that information except the state which is now her legal guardian, and only then in a case of need. The reason I'm pointing this out is simply to give reason as to why these stories typically aren't shared. It's a legality issue, it's not at all because it doesn't happen. However, I'm glad she's at a good home right now regardless of how common this sort of story is. It's good to celebrate where we can. She's such a cute little girl.
One of my very best friends is a foster parent. She's had a lot of heartbreak. One in particular comes to mind where, despite literal broken bones, a kiddo STILL keeps going back to bio parents. She's also had some wins though. She and her husband finally have a clear path to adopt their second little girl. The first was a very expensive years long battle that ended in tears of joy when they were finally able to sign the papers.
May I ask why it was expensive? I did foster care (USA) and it did not have to cost anything. I choose to buy some things out of pocket. But that was my choice. The money is there in the system.
I wish they all where so lucky and I'm happy for them :)
Such a beautiful little girl! So happy she will be loved and well taken care of.😊💕
10000000000 Bravo!!!!!!!!
I will never understand how people can harm innocent children. These babies didn't ask to be here, they don't ask for nothing but to be loved. Thanks God's for the few protecting the innocent
What a lovely story and full marks to the officer and his wife for giving this beautiful, innocent little girl a loving home. She looks so happy now.
Heartwarming
This post proves that 2020 is not a total horror.
Certainly one of BP's Top Ten posts of 2020.
Blood relationships sometimes don't mean a thing. It's often the people you pick deliberately who end up being your family.
This made 2020 end well.
What a Great Tribute to Law Enforcement Officers and a Blessing to one very Fortunate Sweet Little Girl
The best Christmas story for this precious child. kudos to this wonderful kind policeman.
that's heartwarming
Damn, these onion cutting ninjas!
This is such a happy outcome, I'm crying. What a lovely family!
She is adorable. Keep her safe good sir. Your wife and yourself are the kind of people this world needs.
What kind of a monster are you if you're abusing such an small and innocent child? He's her guardian angel <3 I'm so happy he was the one called out to check on her!
What a heartbreaking situation that little girl lived through, before this wonderful man and his family stepped up to save her. There are far, far too many cases like this that end in tragedy, and I find it horrifying that animals and property have more rights and protection under the law than children do. Our society is diseased.
Beautiful and touching story. Gave me goosebumps.
I really needed this!
The parents are awesome. The teenage boy seems like he's headed for trouble flashing gang signs.
The process to get to foster is so very long, how did they just get to keep her?
He was most likely given an emergency temporary foster license or temporary guardianship because he is a police officers. Police objectives meet all the requirements to become a foster parent in the state of Arizona.
I would think the background check part was easy since he’s a cop. They just had to check the wife’s history. The article said there was nowhere to place the girl, so that probably sped things up. Having someone willing to take her, social services probably fast tracked all the interviews, home inspections, etc. There’s always a shortage of foster families, unfortunately.
Not everywhere is long. It just depends on the circumstances and the state you're in.
Katrina B. like
Helen Haley Good response!
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Come on BP if you've conditioned us to anything it's that COPS are INHERENTLY BAD. Next you'll be telling us Trump supporters love their families and donate to charities. This is not the fabricated feel- good type of stories I come here for to reinforce my stereotypes!
It's a great story because it's not the normal "cops are bad" story. in a group of people who don't make sense, look at the individuals and you will see that they all have stories, and are doing the best they can. people want to be good, I think. Some have just lost their way.
Novart was being sarcastic Abhainn.
Actually this is the exact kind of story meant to dilute the situation and make people forget. You just took the bait. The “all cops are bad” thing is not a prevalent enough sentiment.
@Mewton's Third Paw, yeah all cops are bad, exactly like all Muslims are terrorists. You really see the world only in extremes, don't you? It would probably be too complex for you to handle otherwise. Generalizations always make me so damn sick.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Coppaganda
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
BUT, BUT THE LIBERALS SAY A.C.A.B...
Calm down Jay, you are loved.
@Jay- We would never say that because we speak coherent English.
Liberals don’t say that anyway. Progressives do.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
DeFund Police!!!
FFS Do you Trumptards have to try and destroy EVERYTHING? This isn't about you and your politics
Thing is, “defund” only refers to budgeting, to reduce the purchase of military grade equipment that has no place in law enforcement. What the movement is really about is changing policy and training to direct it away from the “ shoot first and ask questions later” training and attitude that’s been fostered for the last several decades. We want it turned away from the authoritarian and toward the authoritative—-back to the true meaning of “protect and serve”. Be careful of merely parroting catchphrases before really understanding the true meaning of what they represent.
Trumptards do not want to defund the police. If you're going to insult someone's politics maybe don't pick the other end of the political spectrum.
I want cake Good response!
Well said. Trim those eyebrows, son.
I’m progressive and I agree with Marina and I think this is the most appropriate time to say so. When the right sends copaganda like this around, it’s important to stick to your values and not act like some weak liberal in name only like Pelosi. How is it not about politics? Stop being such a bîtch.
Marina Sverlovska no