A news anchor broke down in tears as she was surprised by an orphan boy who she helped find a family for five years ago through a televised appeal.
Gloria Campos, 59, was conducting one of her last-ever broadcasts for Texas-based WFAA-TV last Wednesday when 14-year-old Ke'onte Cook jumped up on stage to greet her.
After regaining her composure, Ms Campos said through tears: 'I'm so happy that you're happy. Thank you for coming, good to see you. I'm proud of you.'
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Showing his thanks: News anchor Gloria Campos broke down in tears as she was surprised by Ke'onte Cook live on-air - she helped him find a family for five years ago through a televised appeal
Back in 1989, the broadcaster took over Wednesday's Child, a weekly segment in which she featured children in foster care who were waiting to be adopted.
During her 25-year stint on the show, which today airs on FOX 11, she shared the stories of some 350 children and it's estimated that 75per cent of them found a home.
In 2007, she told the story of Ke'onte, then aged eight.
Flashback: Back in 1989, the broadcaster took over Wednesday's Child, a weekly segment in which she featured children in foster care who were waiting to be adopted - in 2007, she told the story of Ke'onte
Reaching out: Ke'onte was taken in by a family after the 2007 segment, but, unfortunately, the adoption failed - two years later Ms Campos did another story on him, hoping the next time would be different
The karate-enthusiast was taken in by a family after the segment, but, unfortunately, the adoption ultimately failed.
Two years later, after Ke'onte had been moved in and out of multiple homes, Ms Campos did another story on him, hoping the next time would be different.
Thanks to her endeavors, Ke'onte was legally adopted by Carol and Scott Cook and today they remain a happy family unit.
Thanks to her endeavors, Ke'onte was paired up with Carol and Scott Cook
Perfect match: Five years on the three remain a happy family unit
'I'd like to say thank you for putting him on a second time.
'Not only did you bring us the child that God wanted us to have and we wouldn't have seen him otherwise, but you've also helped touch millions through him being able to talk about his story.'
Ms Campos told viewers that it 'broke her heart' when she discovered Ke'onte's first adoption did not work out.
'Obviously [now] he's with the right family at last,' she concluded with a smile on her face.
Ke'onte said that his life would be very different if Ms Campos hadn't of stepped in to help.
Grateful: Ke'onte said that his life would be very different if Ms Campos hadn't of stepped in to help
While he was in foster care as a child he told how he was put on 'mind-altering drugs' but today he is completely off medication and a keen runner, hiker and great dancer.
'You've made my life worthwhile and you've helped me become the person that I am right now,' the teenager said in a pre-recorded message.
'I probably would have been worse off had you not helped me out.'
Ms Cook concluded: 'He's definitely our son, our child... we love him very much.'
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