Once abandoned babies, siblings now inspire, as incredible discovery deepens their bond | Staten Islanders of 2023

Editor’s Note: In the news business, every year has its standout stories, newsmakers, villains and heroes.

But in the Staten Island news business, the Advance/SILive.com also has the unique privilege of telling the stories of our neighbors – everyday people doing extraordinary and inspiring things.

In honor of the many Staten Islanders who have shown the best of what the borough is this year, we are highlighting some of the standouts, and honoring them as Staten Island’s Brightest Lights of 2023.

Congratulations to them, and every borough resident who has found their own way to give back, make change, be a role model, inspire others, advocate and/or care about their community in 2023.

Staten Island’s Brightest Lights of 2023: Siblings Victoria and Frank

Two beautiful babies abandoned two years apart. Both carefully swaddled, a boy left alone outside of a Staten Island daycare center, and a little girl two years later discovered in a bathroom at Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC).

Both children were adopted by the same loving parents — Angela and Dennis — and share a third sibling, Nick.

The boy, Frank, is now 20, and his sister, Victoria is 19. She is a dean’s list college psychology student.

This year, an inspirational journey of discovery brought Victoria back to the place where she was first found by a RUMC staffer, closed lingering questions for the pair about how their lives started and ultimately led to an unbelievable discovery, as DNA testing revealed something nobody in the family knew: Victoria and Frank are actually full biological siblings.

“My mom said she’s lucky to have us,’’ Frank said during a reunion at RUMC with the nurse who discovered baby Victoria. “I still think we’re the lucky ones. They are the blessing.”

“I consider the day I was found the best day of my life because it led me to these people,’’ he told those gathered….