Church Helps Find Family for Unborn Baby with Down Syndrome

An unidentified mother gave an adoption agency 24 hours to find a suitable parent for her unborn baby with Down Syndrome, according to a report by WUSA9.com.

The mother, who was nearly 6 months pregnant, lives in a state where late-term abortion is illegal.

A Virginia Church said its phone has been ringing off the hook with people around the world, including in England, Puerto Rico and Netherlands, offering to adopt the child that would have otherwise been aborted.

After hearing the mother planned to abort the baby without an adoption offer, Rev. Thomas Vander Woulde of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Gainesville took matters into his own hands. With the help of a parishioner, Woulde posted a plea on the church's Facebook page.

"There is a couple in another state who have contacted an adoption agency looking for a family to adopt their [Down] Syndrome unborn baby. If a couple has not been found by today they plan to abort the baby," Woulde wrote. "If you are interested in adopting this baby please contact Fr. VW IMMEDIATELY. [We] are asking all to pray for this baby and the wisdom that this couple realize the importance of human life and do not abort this beautiful gift from God."

Some responders had children of their own with down syndrome and hoped to be parents to the unborn baby with special needs.

According to the report, the church received more than 1,000 phone calls and emails from families hoping to adopt the baby. And with the support of the church and the adoption agency in charge of the mother's case, they were able to narrow down the requests to three families.

"It's a great testament to the goodness of humanity," Woulde said. "This unborn baby, even though it will have some struggles, has a purpose."