Jun 22, 2009 11:49 pm US/Eastern
New Jersey Teen Overcomes Shocking Obstacles
MILLVILLE, N.J. (CBS 3) ―
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Tre-shawn Mitchell Parrish.
CBS
It was a shocking case that made national headlines in 2003; four foster brothers in New Jersey nearly starved to death. One boy was found digging for food in a dumpster.
However, that has all changed with a major accomplishment for one of the boys.
Tre-shawn Mitchell Parrish was one of four young foster brothers who in 2003, nearly died of starvation in what he called "a house of horror" with his adoptive parents, the Jackson's in Collingswood, New Jersey.
"I thought I was going to die in that house," Tre-shawn said.
"He only thought that he was going to be in those four walls for the rest of his life and here it is, this day, this great day," adoptive mom Amber Parrish said.
That day Ambers refers to is Tre-shawn graduating from Cumberland Regional High School.
"When I lived there, I never even thought or even dreamed about graduating after what happened," Tre-shawn said.
After a brief stay with an adoptive family in Texas, Tre-shawn was reunited with his brothers -- Terrell and Michael -- in Millville.
Tre-shawn, who was all of 60lbs and barely 4'0" four years ago, is now 5'4" and 160lbs.
When asked how he felt, Tre-shawn replied by saying, "Healthy, strong and happy."
The love inside the Parrish home can be felt all around.
"He loves hugs, I may call him 'Tre-shawn, come give me a kiss' and that just tickles him because that is something that he never got," Amber explained.
Tre-shawn didn't just graduate; he defeated the toughest of odds -- abuse, neglect and the Jackson's didn't home-school.
This year at Cumberland High, he played football, wrestling, ran track and he made the honor roll.
"I'm real proud of myself and I know my parents are," Tre-shawn said.
Now the young man who spent years being denied food, love and care is considering cooking school after college.
Tre-shawn's last name will officially become Parrish on July 31 when his adoption is final.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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