FINDING FAMILY: Meet Tonya

ODESSA, Texas (KOSA) - Tonya has been through a lot, but she wants everyone to know that she’s not as vulnerable as she seems.

“Everything that I went through… I used to be like a shy person…and I still am…but if I need to be there for someone I’ll step up right away,” she said.

Tonya plans to further develop her kindness into her future career as a police officer.

“Why do I want to be a cop? So I can help people and be there for them,” she said.

That ambition comes from a deeply personal memory.

“When CPS first came they weren’t very nice and like they were just really rude and untrustworthy…and I don’t want to be like that, I want to help people,” Tonya said.

For now, her future career plans are on hold as she lives life as a normal kid, waiting for the perfect family to adopt her.

“They don’t lie to me, they are like straight up,” she said.

Honesty is important to her, but so is having fun. Tonya is looking for a family to travel with, specifically to the beach.

“I’ve never been there but I really want to go,” she said.

Those interested in adopting Tonya can visit her Heart Gallery profile here.