Steve Fishman, Narrator

This is George Ziegler. He was a wealthy businessman in Mansfield, now retired. And as he himself admits, he's a gruff, blunt guy, not too generous with praise.

This is George Ziegler. He was a wealthy businessman in Mansfield, now retired. And as he himself admits, he's a gruff, blunt guy, not too generous with praise.

Ever since the awful events of December 31st, 1989, it seemed like Collier had been steadily losing his family, one member at a time. First his mother, then his father, then his uncle, his aunt, his foster family, his little sister, and then finally the Messmores, who'd been his hope for a normal, loving home. Enter George and Susan Ziegler. The Zieglers had been married for over 20 years.

Ever since the awful events of December 31st, 1989, it seemed like Collier had been steadily losing his family, one member at a time. First his mother, then his father, then his uncle, his aunt, his foster family, his little sister, and then finally the Messmores, who'd been his hope for a normal, loving home. Enter George and Susan Ziegler. The Zieglers had been married for over 20 years.

Like almost everyone else in Mansfield, they'd been engrossed in the Boyle trial.

Like almost everyone else in Mansfield, they'd been engrossed in the Boyle trial.

The Zieglers knew the Boyles a little. Their son went to the same private school as Collier. George and Noreen both sat on the school board.

The Zieglers knew the Boyles a little. Their son went to the same private school as Collier. George and Noreen both sat on the school board.

Not that it put George off Collier. George liked Collier, even if he was a rather unique kid.

Not that it put George off Collier. George liked Collier, even if he was a rather unique kid.

The Zieglers had never considered adoption, but they didn't want Collier to wind up in some random household in a strange new city.

The Zieglers had never considered adoption, but they didn't want Collier to wind up in some random household in a strange new city.

So the Zieglers applied to adopt Collier, and to their surprise, they were successful. Or successful with the courts. One party wasn't convinced. As soon as Collier walked into the Ziegler's home, he made them a proposition.

So the Zieglers applied to adopt Collier, and to their surprise, they were successful. Or successful with the courts. One party wasn't convinced. As soon as Collier walked into the Ziegler's home, he made them a proposition.

The Ziegler's wanted the best for Collier, but after spending his whole young life as the apple of his mother's eye, Collier found he had some adjustments to make.

The Ziegler's wanted the best for Collier, but after spending his whole young life as the apple of his mother's eye, Collier found he had some adjustments to make.

When Collier cried, he did it alone in his bedroom. The Mesmores were feeling the separation as well. Here's Sue.

When Collier cried, he did it alone in his bedroom. The Mesmores were feeling the separation as well. Here's Sue.

So the Mesmores asked the Zieglers to meet them. One night, they went to dinner at a restaurant.

So the Mesmores asked the Zieglers to meet them. One night, they went to dinner at a restaurant.