At five weeks old, Bethany Hartung's daughter Katherine came to her in a fragile condition after a difficult start in life. It was a sight that would prick the stoniest of hearts.
“She was so little,” recalls Bethany. “And she had this precious lip pout that we still often see on her face today. I remember walking into that hospital room and seeing this tiny little baby wrapped in a blue blanket. She was so fragile and sad.”
Katherine, fondly referred to by her mother as Ren, was placed in the foster system through unfortunate family circumstances. Desperately needing all the intensive care required by a delicate newborn, she was matched with Bethany and her husband, Mark Hartung.
The Hartungs had completed training to become foster parents a year prior to receiving Katherine. One child had passed through their home in that time. But they craved a lasting relationship.
“We had no idea what the journey ahead would look like,” Bethany remembers. “We just knew Ren needed someone to care for her, love her, and advocate for her. One day at a time, she became part of our family.”
As Katherine embarked on the arduous journey of healing through medical appointments and specialized care, another layer of support was quietly surrounding this tender infant through CASA of Denton County.
In Katherine’s case, her court-appointed advocate came in the form of Richard Boyer. Boyer had recently won an election as the new mayor of The Colony and was sworn into office during his first few weeks after being paired with Katherine and the Hartung family.
“Richard understood from the very beginning that Katherine needed someone who would consistently show up for her,” says Pattie Heustis, program director for CASA of Denton County. “He was there through the entire case, learning every detail, attending hearings and making sure her best interests were always represented.”
Richard assumed a steady presence in Ren’s life during one of its most uncertain chapters. While caseworkers, attorneys, and placements varied, he became an unchanging source of support or a North Star to Ren.
“A CASA can really change the trajectory of a child's life,” Pattie explains. “For a child who may be experiencing constant change, we become a consistent voice advocating for what they need and what is in their best interest. Just one adult stepping up can make such a difference.”
“She didn't have a voice,” Bethany remembers. “Richard spoke up for her when she couldn't speak for herself. He was there for the entire case and knowing someone was always looking out for her made all the difference.”
One day at a time, Ren became a precious and inextricable piece of the Hartung family. After more than a year of navigating the legal system, her adoption closed in 2024.
Today, it’s difficult to reconcile that tiny, broken infant with the robust child that skips through the hallways of the Hartung family home.
"When I look at Ren, I don't see the broken little baby we first met. I see a joyful, resilient little girl who has overcome so much. Watching her grow has been one of the greatest privileges of our lives."
As for Bethany, she now recruits child advocates for other children as a part of the CASA of Denton County team.
For those inspired by Katherine's story, there are many ways to support foster families. Members of the community can become trained advocates, donate financially, or volunteer at fundraising events throughout the year.
Signature events include the annual Evening of Elegance Gala and Pulling for Kids Clay Shoot, both of which help fund critical services for children across Denton County. To learn more, contact CASA of Denton County at 940.243.2272 or info@casadenton.org. Additional event details can be found on social media at @casadentontx.
“Until everyone in Denton County knows what a CASA is, I don't think our job is truly over,” Bethany says. “Because every child deserves someone in their corner.”