Jeremy Wright, Michigan school principal in Plainwell takes a chance on troubled teen foster girl, Bridgett only to end up adopting her as girl finally finds family that she never thought she would find after being in and out of 20 foster homes since 8 years old.
A Michigan high school principal has adopted a formerly troubled foster teen girl at the school where he worked after discovering she had nowhere to go only to end up adopting her and becoming her foster father.
Jeremy Wright, 49, was working as a principal in Plainwell, a small town about a half hour south of Grand Rapids, when leading up to the Christmas holidays in 2022, he learned that one of his students, Bridgett, then 15, was being kicked out of another foster home.
It was only suppose to be an initial two weeks while a new foster home was organized
Upon discovering that the teen, Bridgett would have to be alone in an office building over Christmas weekend, the educator asked his wife, Jennifer, if they could take her in. Just for the weekend. At least so social workers could find her a more permanent new place.
Except Bridgett’s stay ended becoming much longer than just the initial two week stay.
While wife Jennifer, initially said no, on account of the Wrights having two kids of their own along with troubling issues, including claims that the 15-year-old had stolen $300 at her last foster home, leading to her being kicked out. Never mind that Bridgett, who had been separated from her biological mother at age 8, after her mom struggling with drug addiction and was a sex worker had already lived with up to 20 foster families.
By now the ‘troubled teen’ was suffered from anxiety and addictions to marijuana and alcohol, among other mental health issues as a result of prior abuse.
Despite all this, Jeremy Wright was able to convince wife, Jennifer to let the ‘troubled’ 15-year-old come and stay for an initial two week stay, the foster dad recalled speaking to People Magazine.
‘I knew that if we could get her to go and get some help and get on the right medicine and get on the right track, that we could help her,’ Jeremy told the outlet.
Jennifer confessed that the first few days were difficult, as Bridgett continued to smoke, steal alcohol, and sneak out of their house.
Trust, therapy, counseling and love led to a new family
Bridgett then opened up about the sexual abuse she endured, and the family decided to get her help with her mental health.
‘It was like how in all my years of teaching, 25 years of teaching, I’d never heard a story like that. It was just so horrible,’ Jeremy told People.
The Wrights checked Bridgett into a hospital in Wisconsin and said she came back calm and focused.
Bridgett continued to live with the couple and their two children, Jacob, 18, and Kaylee, 21.
She initially didn’t want to be adopted by the family, before eventually relenting and becoming a Wright and being legally adopted in May, 2024.
Since she came into the Wrights’ care, Bridgett went from barely passing her classes to getting all As and Bs, and joining the cheer team.
Bridgett told PEOPLE that it was difficult to describe the feeling of having a permanent family, but confessed that she’s ‘living my princess life.’
The couple said that it was a treat to watch Bridgett grow and that she completed their family.
‘Bridgett is fun, she’s feisty, she’s just a sweet girl. She’s got a really big heart and is loving,’ Jennifer told the outlet.
Bridgett is a senior and will graduate from high school next year. Jeremy now serves as a superintendent of the Delton Kellogg School District.
