An impoverished single mother gives birth to ten children over 13 years. Patrick is the second oldest. Mother is addicted to drugs, has mental health issues, and is most often homeless. The children have different fathers; Patrick’s never shows any interest in his son.

When a local hospital finds burns on Patrick’s body, Patrick’s mother incurs allegations of abuse and neglect. A space heater falls on the boy, burning him again, and Patrick and his siblings are removed from their biological mother’s care. Patrick enters the foster care system at the age of two.

Over the ensuing years, Patrick experiences at least 20 different foster placements and shelters. With each placement, Patrick’s behavior grows more disruptive, as he becomes aggressive, verbally abusive, and physically threatening. Because of his early deprivation, he focuses on food, becoming significantly overweight—345 lbs and six feet tall. He uses his size to intimidate and bully.

As Patrick’s behaviors escalate, he is hospitalized on several occasions, and eventually remanded to a residential facility for treatment.

On to Finding a Foster Parent for Patrick