Woman moves to Oregon with father, learns she’s going to Mexico with him and his girlfriend, then ends up in a girl’s home : ‘That’s so traumatic’
In life, sometimes you encounter something so profound that it completely changes your brain chemistry. For TikTok user @bbylaceyxoxo, the same was true when she was 13. As she shares in her video uploaded to her TikTok account two days ago, until age 7, she was living in foster homes and did not remember having any contact with her biological parents. However, at 7, her father came and took her away, and she began living with him in Oregon. Later, she moved in with her father’s girlfriend, who already had several children.
Lacey remembers her relationship with her stepmother being always tense, with frequent fights. She recalls one day being told that the family was going to Mexico, and she was very happy to go on a vacation. But then, she was told she would be left in the care of Bobby, the person whose place they were staying in. Afterwards, she experienced one traumatic event after another, but looking back on all of it, she has forgiven her father and everyone else involved and has moved on from her experiences.
TikTok user @bbylaceyxoxon recalls being left to live in Mexico alone
Lacey was excited about her new life with her father after nearly 7 years in foster care. However, when she was finally reunited with him, things were very different. As previously mentioned, after taking her out of a foster home, Lacey’s father brought her to stay with his girlfriend at her house, where she and Lacey often argued. To ease tensions, it was decided that Lacey, her father, and his girlfriend would go on a trip to Mexico, staying at Bobby’s house.
While Lacey looked forward to the trip, one day she woke up to find her father and stepmother packing their suitcases. When she asked why they were leaving so suddenly, she was told that only they were leaving, and she would stay with Bobby. After they left, Bobby drove Lacey to a home and told her she would stay there for three months. When that time was up, she was taken back to Bobby’s house, from which she sent an SOS message one day, asking to be rescued. She was finally flown back by a pastor, and when she saw her dad after getting off the plane, she felt enraged by his presence. On the same day, while he was changing, Lacey ran away.
People expressed empathy towards Lacey in the comments section
As of now, Lacey’s video recounting her traumatic childhood experiences has received hundreds of comments. Most are celebrating her and empathising with her. User @elizabeth_lynn000 wrote, “That’s so traumatic, especially after just getting out of foster care. Your feelings were definitely valid.” User @mrsvellone19 wrote, “You have had such a hard life, Lacey, yet you show up every day smiling and have positive vibes- you help so many people every day. I hope you always know you’re loved and cared for, and I hope you always feel that way.”
Many also praised Lacey’s ability to forgive her father despite everything she has been through. User @user9975186504326 wrote, “Gosh girl! I love you so much! You are so strong, and the way you are able to shed light on your past is so admirable. Forgiveness is the key to life! So thankful you forgave your dad.” User @rachelharveylang wrote, “Girls that’s…Out of all the stories I’ve heard so far. This one is absolutely tragic. I love how you use humor in these situations … but girl. You are so amazing for your ability to forgive.”
In the US, many people are in foster care
According to the Christian Alliance for Orphans, the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) estimates, based on its most recent report for fiscal year 2024, that there are 328,947 children in the child welfare system. AFCARS reports that over the past decade, the number of children in foster care in the United States has remained relatively stable, with 396,000 children reported to be in care in 2013. The numbers show an increase in the mid-2010s, reaching a peak in 2017 and 2018 at 437,000.
In the United States, the state with the highest number of children in foster care is California, followed by Illinois, Florida, Indiana, and Georgia. According to the AFCARS report mentioned earlier, as of September 2024, 7 per cent of the youth in foster care are less than a year old, 30 per cent are between 1 and 5 years old, 21 per cent are between 6 and 10, and 28 per cent are between 11 and 16. Additionally, 6 per cent of these youth are 17 years old, and 7 per cent are between 18 and 24 years old.
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