ST. LOUIS — La Tonya Ruff has spent the last seven years trying to keep a family together, and recently she was able to make it official.
Ruff's recent court appearance to get guardianship of two older boys was finalized on Nov. 15. She has spent several years trying to bring these siblings together.
"It took me seven years to get this family back together, getting them back one by one," Ruff said.
Ruff said she used to babysit the kids in 2012 and even opened up at daycare after discovering she loved caring for children. When the children went into foster care, she said she was not notified.
The older kids, Tiana, Trevione and Ashton were featured in 5 On Your Side's "A Place to Call Home" segment to find a more permanent living situation.
In 2022, Ruff was granted guardianship of Tiana and she had custody of Ashton and Trevione in the spring of 2023. She also adopted the young siblings Dayton and Ky'La and attended the births of the two.
She adopted the two younger siblings while becoming the older kids' guardian out of respect. The older kids said they wanted to keep their parent's names on their legal documents, including carrying on their father's name who passed away.
The court ruling allows the siblings to grow up together in one house.
"I gave them their forever home, and I wouldn’t have it anything other way," Ruff said. "It isn’t an easy job, and I knew it wouldn’t be, but the purpose behind it all makes it even more worth it. We are family."
Ruff said the timing couldn't be better with the approaching holidays, and they'll have their chance to share their story with the Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition in December, so stay tuned.
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