Dawn Staley Steps Up: South Carolina Coach Becomes Guardian of Abandoned Newborn
Columbia, SC – April 17, 2025 — In a remarkable act of compassion and leadership, University of South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley has taken on the role of guardian to a newborn baby who was abandoned just five hours prior.
The infant, a healthy baby girl, was discovered near a Columbia fire station early Thursday morning. Authorities quickly secured medical attention, and an investigation into the abandonment is ongoing. But before the child could enter the foster system, Staley made a bold and heartfelt decision.
According to a statement released by the university, Staley personally contacted local officials upon hearing of the incident and offered to become the baby’s legal guardian. She also pledged to cover all expenses for the child—medical, educational, and personal—until the age of 18.
“This is about love, humanity, and stepping up when it matters most,” Staley said in a brief press conference Thursday afternoon. “No child should feel unwanted. If I can provide her with love and stability, then that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”
The unexpected gesture has sparked an outpouring of admiration across social media, with many praising Staley not just for her accomplishments on the court but also for her powerful display of heart and character.
While legal proceedings are underway to formalize the guardianship, state officials confirmed that the child is safe and currently under Staley’s care. The Department of Social Services expressed gratitude for the coach’s intervention, calling it “a beautiful example of community and compassion in action.”
Dawn Staley, a three-time Olympic gold medalist and Hall of Fame coach, is widely respected not only for leading South Carolina to multiple NCAA championships but also for her philanthropic work and fierce advocacy for youth and underserved communities.
In her closing remarks, Staley added, “This little girl’s life started in uncertainty—but she won’t walk alone. Not on my watch.”
