Police officer who adopted heroin user's baby and promised to help her beat addiction praised by Donald Trump
Get daily updates directly to your inbox + Subscribe Thank you for subscribing! Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email
A police officer who persuaded a pregnant heroin user to let him adopt her unborn child has revealed she is 40 days sober - and he has won praise from US President Donald Trump.
Ryan Holets, 27, adopted the child, named Hope, in October after busting her mother, Crystal Champ, the month before when she was shooting up heroin with her partner while eight months pregnant.
His actions have been widely praised and were thrust under the spotlight this week when the US President drew attention to them in his State of the Union address.
The father-of-five had hit the headlines after it was revealed that he wife Rebecca had officially adopted Hope and were fundraising to help Crystal and partner, Tom Key, beat their drug addiciton.
(Image: GoFundMe/Tom Key and Crystal Champ)
(Image: GoFundMe/Tom Key and Crystal Champ)
(Image: GoFundMe/Tom Key and Crystal Champ)
Speaking to CNN this week, Ryan said: "I lose track of time with everything that's going on... I was recently talking to Crystal on the phone and she was saying she's excited because their 40 days mark is coming up.
"So I don't know if it's past 40 days or just about there. But 40 days sober, that's incredible."
Ryan had spotted Crystal and Tom shooting up heroin in broad daylight when responding to a theft at a convenience store in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in September.
Bodycam footage showed him confront the expectant mother, telling her she would "ruin" her baby.
Crystal told Ryan she hoped someone would adopt her child the then father-of-four offered to help.
(Image: GoFundMe/Tom Key and Crystal Champ)
(Image: GoFundMe/Tom Key and Crystal Champ)
(Image: Reuters)
But the journey has not been easy with Crystal's drug use meaning Hope suffered from withdrawals and had to undergo methadone treatment after birth.
Crystal and Tom have been in rehab since December and Ryan is sending them picture updates. He said that he and wife Rebecca hope that they want them to continue to see her.
A GoFundMe page is raising money for 12 months worth of housing and living expenses for the pair.
(Image: GoFundMe/Tom Key and Crystal Champ)
Trump said on Tuesday that Ryan had help break down walls "between drug addicts and police officers to help save lives."
"As we have seen tonight, the most difficult challenges bring out the best Americans.
"Ryan and Rebecca, you embody the goodness of our nation. Thank you," he added.