Texas State student puts his life on pause to adopt baby he found abandoned in trash pile

From Trash to Triumph: Texas State Student Adopts Baby Abandoned in Haiti

In a world often filled with heartbreak and hesitation, one young man’s act of courage continues to inspire.

Jimmy Amisial, a student at Texas State University, made an extraordinary decision during a 2017 trip to his hometown in Haiti—he adopted a baby he found abandoned in a pile of trash.

The baby, just four months old at the time, was naked, crying, and covered in fire ants. Locals, fearing the child was cursed, wouldn’t go near him. But Jimmy, then only 22 years old, stepped forward. “Something inside me told me this had happened for a reason,” he said.

Despite his youth, limited resources, and being midway through college, Jimmy didn’t hesitate when Haitian authorities asked him to become the baby’s legal guardian. He named the child Emilio Angel Jeremiah.

Now 27, Jimmy balances his studies in the U.S. while supporting Emilio, who lives with Jimmy’s mother in Haiti. He’s launched a fundraiser to cover the costs of formal adoption and has already raised $60,000. His dream is to bring Emilio to the U.S. and finish his degree.

“Being Emilio’s father figure is the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done,” Jimmy says. “He’s brought so much joy and purpose into my life.”

What began as a moment of spontaneous compassion has become a life-changing journey. Jimmy’s story is a reminder that sometimes, family isn’t something you’re born into—it’s something you choose, no matter the odds.