Davion Only Out of Foster Home Months After Adoption Plea Went Viral

The 16-year-old is back in Florida after his story took a devastating turn

Photo: Melissa Lyttle/Tampa Bay Times/ZUMA

The Florida teen whose plea to be adopted went viral is no longer living with the foster family that promised to take him in, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Davion Only, 16, made headlines in October after he was videotaped begging for a loving home during a church service in St. Petersburg, Florida. After being born to a mother in jail, Davion was shuttled between foster families, ending up in a group house with 12 other boys because of his anger issues.

“My name is Davion and I’ve been in foster care since I was born,” he told the congregation. “I know God hasn’t given up on me. So I’m not giving up either.”

His prayers seemed to be answered as his story received national attention, with more than 10,000 people offering to give him a home.

Davion flew to Ohio to live with – and hopefully be adopted by – a minister in March. But just months later, he’s back in the Florida system after getting into a physical fight with the man and another child, the Times reports.

Lorita Shirley, director of Tampa Bay’s foster agency Eckerd, called the heartbreaking turn of events “a major setback” for Davion.

“When he is ready, we will continue down the list of people who have expressed interest in him,” she told the paper. “Now, we might be looking at empty-nesters, people who raised teenagers but don’t have any other kids in their house. That might be the best match for him.”