Twelve children from the Make-A-Wish Foundation were sworn in as junior deputies by St. Lucie County Sheriff Richard Del Toro on Wednesday in what the sheriff called one of the greatest days of his career. The ceremony included tours of the sheriff's office, demonstrations from the SWAT team and K-9 units, and a look at the department's helicopter.
Among the honorees were twins Mia and Daryl Nyack. In 2023, Mia was diagnosed with aplastic anemia, a blood disorder requiring a bone marrow transplant. Her twin brother Daryl donated his bone marrow to save her life, enduring significant pain and spending time in a wheelchair during recovery. Mia said her brother made her feel safe during the frightening experience.
Another junior deputy, Tobias Deleon, was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2022. His mother Charity said Tobias experienced complications that don't normally happen to children and was even briefly lost before medical staff brought him back. She thanked the sheriff's office for making her son and the other children feel important and welcomed in the community. Sheriff Del Toro said the children left an imprint on his department, telling them they made the sheriff's office's wish come true.