“They came in with documents and a decision,” one insider revealed. “Pete was heartbroken. He didn’t even get to say a proper farewell.”
A Heart Left Shattered. In the days following the reunion, Hegseth withdrew from the spotlight. Close friends say he was devastated, feeling like he had failed Mateo—despite doing everything he could to provide love and stability.
“He told me, ‘I thought I was giving him a forever home, not a layover,’” shared a close confidant.
In a private message to a colleague, Pete wrote, “I don’t regret opening my home to him. I regret not getting the chance to fight harder for him to stay. I would’ve moved mountains for that boy.”
Adoption and foster care experts often cite the emotional toll of reunification as one of the least-discussed challenges in emergency placements.
Cases like Pete’s expose how legal gray zones, lack of trauma-informed wellness care, and costly custody appeals can blindside even the most committed guardians.
