Homeless Woman Reunites With Son, Thanks To Seal Beach Community

SEAL BEACH, CA — A homeless woman was reunited with her son, thanks to the kindness of police officers, the Seal Beach Police Foundation and the support of local churches. Less than one year ago, Seal Beach officers learned of homeless woman Maria Ursu.

Ursu didn't cause problems. Although she was frequently seen around town and had been offered assistance and social services on a number of occasions, she never wanted help, according to Seal Beach Police Sgt. Mike Henderson.

Then, two weeks ago, something changed. Ursu wanted to find her family.

"Maria came to the Seal Beach Police station and requested assistance with finding her son, who lived in Chicago," Henderson said.

There was just one problem. She had no idea where he lived in the city, and did not have any way of contacting him. Ursu needed help, or she would never find him.

Good Old Fashioned Police Work

With the help of social media, Seal Beach police officers were able to track him down and contact him.

"He said that he hadn’t seen his mother in years and was very willing to assist her and take her into his home," Henderson said.

Unfortunately, Ursu had already left the station and officers were unable to assist her. Then, on a lonely bus bench at Seal Beach Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway, Ursu was spotted by Seal Beach Police Corporal Brian Gray. Gray brought her to the police station and called her son.

"He was ecstatic, and was willing to pick her up at the airport, but he could not afford the plane ticket," Henderson said.

The police knew what they had to do.

"The Seal Beach Police Foundation provides a funded credit card to the Seal Beach Police Department specifically to support with assisting the homeless," Henderson told Patch. The officers purchased a plane ticket for Ursu to head to Chicago, however she had no identification to get on the plane.

Her identification had been stolen years earlier and never replaced, Henderson said.

Gray made a call to United Airlines and explained the challenging situation. They agreed to accept Ursu as a passenger with a police report documenting the theft of her identification, which the department readily provided.

But after an extended period of time on the streets, Ursu had very few personal items to take with her. That was when the department stepped in and handed her the backpack.

"The local Churches in Seal Beach combine their resources and provide the Seal Beach Police Department with backpacks containing clothing, food gift certificates and toiletries," Henderson told us. "Maria was given one of the backpacks to assist her on her journey."

Ursu was taken to the airport and flew to Chicago. She was met by her son, and together they will start the next chapter of their lives.

The Seal Beach Police Department would like to thank the Seal Beach Police Foundation, United Airlines and the local churches for their support and assistance.

Photos, courtesy Seal Beach Police Department