Tuesday, Apr. 29, 2008

Once-homeless couple welcomes baby girl

Newborn healthy and parents off the street, living in Delhi home

TURLOCK -- Victoria Mayfield, the pregnant homeless woman who moved out of a cold weather emergency shelter and onto the street early this month, delivered a healthy 7-pound- 12-ounce girl Thursday night.

Victoria and her husband, Randy Mayfield, have a room in a Delhi home thanks to friends at Enclave Community Church.

Bad drugs, bad relationships and bad choices brought Randy and Victoria to homelessness. They met in Broadway Park, then again at the breakfast window of United Samaritans on Broadway Avenue. When Victoria got pregnant, they quit drugging and Randy started a construction job, making an average of $60 a day.

Their friend Jeremiah Fair, pastor of Crossroads Church, married them March 8 with wedding rings bought on a Wal-Mart gift card.

"She progressed very well," said Dr. James Lilligren, Mayfield's obstetrician. "Didn't even have an epidural. She had a good support system there. A lot of family were there. She really did very well."

Lorrellen Victoria Mayfield entered the world at 11:41 p.m. Thursday. The first name is a combination of Lorraine -- Randy's mother's name -- and Ellen -- Victoria's mother's name.

"She's gorgeous," the new mom said. "She has dark hair right now, but it's going to lighten up in a few months. She has dark eyes. She's just beautiful."

After leaving the shelter and after a hospital emergency room visit, the Mayfields stayed in a hotel room until the Delhi room opened up. With construction work drying up in Stanislaus County, Randy Mayfield is looking for work in the Sacramento area.

Bee staff writer Michael R. Shea can be reached at mshea@modbee.com or 578-2391.