An orphan in the Ukraine is clinging to life Thursday night. Now, thousands of miles away, her survival is dependent on a Southern Colorado family, who is trying to adopt a little girl they've never met. It's a race against time right now.
Hailee is four years old, has Down Syndrome and she only weighs 15 pounds.
The Salem family in Woodland Park already has five children; the three boys are biological and the two girls from China have special needs. Anthony and Adeye Salem are hoping to add Hailee to the bunch.
"We prayfully considered it and realized she was our daughter," says Adeye. “She is the size of a six-month-old baby. She lives in a crib all day and is extremely neglected. She can't sit up and she can't hold her head up on her own."
She says giving Hailee a home with a lot of love is what this little girl needs.
"We're not asking for hand-outs. We're asking to help save this child's life," says Anthony.
The Salems have already raised $7,000, but they need to raise another $16,000 to adopt her.
Right now, in the Ukraine, Hailee is in what is called a “baby home”. Orphans with special needs get moved to mental institutions when they hit four years old. The Salems say since Hailee is so fragile, she'll die there. That’s why there is an urgency to bring her home.
On Saturday, October 10, there is a benefit concert in Woodland Park for Hailee with musicians, mimes and “Dave the Horn Guy”. It’s at the Ute Pass Cultural Center on 210 East Midland Avenue starting at 6 p.m.
To learn more about Hailee or how you can donate, return to KKTV.com and click on the "FindIt" button. There, you'll find a link to the Salem family blog.
