Editor's Note: The last name of this story's subject is being withheld by request.

Months before the darkness of 12/14 descended on his already troubled world, a little boy named Christian was beginning to find some peace and stability settling in with a relative who was considering adopting him, while enjoying the inclusion and friendships he was discovering as a new student at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Up to that time, Christian's life had been one of disruption and trauma. And as he has grown and matured since that horrific day when he heard and witnessed unspeakable things, his life has not gotten significantly better.

When he was very young, Christian was removed from his birth parents by the state, and was adopted. But officials learned that his adoptive parents were abusing the boy, and he was once again launched into a succession of relatively short term foster situations.

The Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF) is currently administering his case and working to get him placed as either a foster or adoption candidate with a family in Newtown. According to one DCF source, the post 12/14 behavior that Christian began exhibiting by early 2013 quickly overwhelmed the single surviving blood relative who was attempting to provide him a good home.

So the 7-year-old was once again returned to a succession of foster families, until he was eventually placed in a secure congregate situation for teens in northwestern Connecticut.

A DCF contact familiar with his case told 

The Newtown BeeChristian deserves a family and community that will facilitate his healing and, give him the opportunity to flourish." that "Christian is legally available for adoption and in need of a committed family or at least a visiting resource. DCF is hoping to find that resource for him in Newtown, where he could benefit from all the therapeutic and resiliency services now available that he never had the opportunity to receive while living in Sandy Hook. 

His case supervisor at DCF, Michael Clark, said that Christian's unique personality would demand significant supervision and a structured lifestyle. While the agency is working with clinicians to determine if his behavior is rooted in his childhood traumas, is a legitimate clinical behavioral issue, some other type of emotional concern, or a combination of these factors, the young man continues to live something of a transient life.

Once a week, he visits a therapeutic recreation facility in the Waterbury area, where he has a chance to be himself, to interact with familiar adults, and is exposed to a number of household and farm animals that seem to soothe and stabilize his moods and behavior, the DCF official said.

During a brief authorized visit with 

The Newtown Bee, Christian was guarded, but not unfriendly or unwieldy. He was excited to talk about the prospect of playing some video games, and was not disagreeable or difficult when redirected to accompany one of his adult supervisors to visit the animals being kept in an adjacent barn and stables.

Christian helped explain that he and a number of other youths were in the middle of a project building a chicken coop. But he also helps in a program that constructs and sells things like picnic tables and portable grills.

"This is the stuff I like to do, building things. And I like computers, but there's no internet for this one," he said, pointing to a central work station in the center.

"He's really interested in electronics," Mr Clark said.

"My goal is to write down all the supplies," Christian said. "For picnic tables and the grills."

Having just completed sixth grade, the young student said he enjoys reading and math.

"I'm learning algebra, it's fun - and I read articles," he said. "If I like a book, I'll read it. And I play games on my phone."

Christian also likes to bike and run, and participates in a cross country program where he goes to school.

"He likes to work with his hands, and he told me he'd like to be a mechanic when he gets older," Mr Clark said.

Captain America is my favorite, he's an Avenger."

"On the weekend I like to watch movies; I like comedies," he said. "

When asked what kind of family he would like to be part of, Christian replied, "A family that likes to play games, that likes to go outside. A mother, father, sister, brother, anything. As long as they like Captain America. And I love to swim. A pool would be cool."

Christian is one of more than 4,400 children in foster care in Connecticut, with more than 200 currently needing placement from the greater Danbury area. Over half of those children in care from the greater Danbury area are newborns up to age 5.

With so many parents now having to work out of the home in Fairfield County, the DCF and its partnering foster and adoption agencies have an even greater need for families who can care for the newborns who cannot go to day care the first six weeks of life.

For information about fostering children or adoption, visit ctfosteradopt.com, e-mail AnneMarie.Stonoha@ct.gov, or call 1-888-KID-HERO.