IRVING, Texas — Growing up in tough situations can make kids age faster than usual.
Today's Wednesday's Child told WFAA he had to grow up too fast, but now there's hope that he can just be a kid for the first time in his life.
Having to be quick on his feet is something 14-year-old Tevaughnn has done all his life.
WFAA recently attended a football clinic with him at Fuller's Training and Performance in Irving. This is where he opened up about having to step in and be a parent to his younger sisters when he was a child himself.
"Whenever they argued, I had to stop them. Sometimes I had to make them breakfast too," he said.
An athlete hoping to play college football, Tevaughnn has been in and out of foster care for the last eight years.
"When I first got put in I was 6. I lived with my grandma for several years and got put back in at 12. I had to think about the real world when I got put into CPS because a lot of things started changing," he said.
Tevaughnn felt responsible for his sisters for a long time.
"The people we were with wouldn't watch over them. I had to do it myself," he said adding that they mean everything to him.
Although they will be adopted separately, Tevaughnn looks forward to keeping in touch with his sisters.
"I want to be able to call them and talk to them and maybe some days I can visit."
More than anything, he can't wait to join a family that's forever.
"I'm tired of moving homes, and I need a family that will love me and I can stay there for the rest of my life," he said.
Tevaughnn wants to be placed in a safe and permanent home this summer before his freshman year of high school begins in the fall.
"My heart desires it on a whole different scale like one that's unbreakable."
Tevaughnn also shared with us that his heart feels broken without a forever family.
"I want it because I have nowhere else to go and I feel sad."
To overcome the sadness, Tevaughnn hangs on to hope. Hope that very soon he can just be a kid for the first time in his life. He's also determined to go to college and start a business.
"I want to travel. I want to basically just live life," he said.
He's even thought about the kind of business he would like to open. He wants it to be a shop where he sells home decor. Tevaughnn loves decor and is proud of the design of his room.
"I like the aesthetics of my room. I like that it's dark, but you have like bright neon lights. Then you have your games and your posters on the wall. Just makes it feel more comfortable," he said smiling.
Tevaughnn's advocates call him an inspiration with a true and kind heart who would be a catch for any loving family.
When we asked him what he wanted to hear a mom say to him, Tevaughnn didn't hesitate.
"I love you son."
If you are interested in adopting Tevauhgnn, please Call EMPOWER – (833) 7FOSTER press * or email wednesdayschild@3empower.org. Please make sure to write Tevaughnn's name within the subject line.
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