Wednesday's Child: 10-Year-Old Lariah

Lariah is a pretty 10-year-old girl of African American descent. Lariah loves to play with dolls, watch TV, do crafts and is currently just starting dance lessons. She loves pampering like getting her nails or hair done.

She has an Individualized Educational Plan and also an educational advocate. She can be strong willed and can have challenging behaviors but is very engaging and happy. She presently lives in a residential program and is doing well with positive praise, redirection and a lot of structure. In 2013, Lariah was severely scalded and burned on her legs and feet. She went through numerous skin graph surgeries and now needs yearly specialist visits and daily creaming and massaging to the affected areas. She also has seasonal allergies and allergies to all animal dander and fur.

Legally freed for adoption, Lariah would do best in a 2 parent mom and dad or 2 mom family with no other children. A single mom family would also be considered if such person has had experience working with or parenting children with trauma. Her new family should have knowledge of or be willing to learn about Lariah's culture including foods and personal care. In addition, Lariah needs positive praise, love, affection, consistency and a structured home life. Her new family should also help Lariah maintain contact with her older and younger brothers.

For more information you can contact MARE: 617-54-ADOPT (617-542-3678) or visit www.mareinc.org.

Since its inception in 1981, Wednesday's Child has been a collaboration of the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE), the Department of Children & Families and WBZ-TV/CBS Boston. Hosted by Jack Williams for the last 34 years, this weekly series has given a face and voice to the children who wait the longest for families. Wednesday's Child has helped find homes for hundreds of waiting children and continues to raise awareness about adoption from foster care.