By Marc Cabra, Miami Herald

When S.M. became a foster child four years ago, she didn’t speak a word.

At age 7, S.M., who suffers from mental retardation, had just been removed from her birth parents, who had neglected her. Caring for the little girl was going to cost money, and lots of it.

Like most foster children with serious disabilities, S.M. was expected to “age out” of foster care — remaining in state custody until she turned 18. As a foster child, taxpayers would pay for much of the youngster’s care, but few prospective adoptive parents were willing — or able — to take on such an expense.

But thanks to the efforts of administrators at two state agencies, the girl, now 11, will spend the rest of her childhood with a mom and a dad.

On Wednesday morning, S.M., who’s not being identified by The Miami Herald to protect her privacy, was adopted by the Modls, a Haitian-American couple from Miami who had been caring for the youngster as foster parents.

“When she started growing up and I heard her story, I said, `I won’t let her go.’ This kid needs permanency,” said Marie Modl. “I said, `I won’t let her go. I will adopt her.’ ”

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