Duval County

100th virtual adoption gives Jacksonville woman a forever family

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Despite Duval County Courthouse remaining closed for in-person hearings because of COVID-19, Daisy Steele got her wish. At the age of 22, she was the 100th Zoom call adoption in the state of Florida.

In the middle of her family living room, Daisy and Nicole Steele officially became mother and daughter, on Thursday June 11, 2020.

Daisy spent about two decades in and out of the foster system.

”From 15 to 18 I had seven unsuccessful adoption attempts.” Daisy said.

She went through a period of drug abuse and left the Steele family, after temporarily living there. Daisy got clean and later ended up pregnant at 19-years-old. She said it was then that she knew she needed Nicole.”It’s like we have never gone a day without seeing each other.” Daisy said.

Nicole wanted to make the relationship official, but with COVID-19 she wasn’t sure it would happen.”The pandemic especially what we were fearful of is that these processes would be on pause.” Rita Soronen, CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation, said. “We encouraged courts to take it virtual.”

100 virtual adoptions later... Duval Circuit Judge David Gooding sealed the deal.

”Not only was it good for me, but it felt good to give her that moment.” Nicole said.