When a Detective Learned These Kids’ Secret, He Took Matters Into His Own Hands: ‘I had Enough of It’

Pittsburgh detective Jack Mook is a hard-nosed, 22-year veteran of the force who lived a happy life of a bachelor — until he met two kids that changed everything.

Mook, who enjoys boxing, volunteers at a local center where he teaches underprivileged kids the sport.

"Mostly kids who come into this gym are street kids," he told the CBS Evening News. "Many of them have been born into poverty."

Image source: YouTube

That's where he met 11-year-old Jesse and his 15-year-old brother Josh. Mook took them under their wing and bonded with them.

So when they suddenly stopped going to the boxing center, Mook went after them. That's when he learned that they had withheld a secret from him the entire time.

"He looked terrible. Bags under his eyes," he said.

Image source: YouTube

"And he was asking me about it and I just cried," Josh told the CBS Evening News.

Mook learned that the two boys were living in extraordinarily poor conditions at a foster home nearby.

"They have had it as worse as any other kid who has lived in the city of Pittsburgh," he said. "And that just ... I had enough of it."

Mook moved quickly. After calling in a few favors, he was able to get the boys transferred to a new home — his.

"It's awesome," he said. "It's the best thing I ever did in my life."

Image source: YouTube

After two years, he decided to make things more official. Mook adopted the two kids.

"You're a Mook! You happy?" he asked one of the kids after the court proceeding.

The child nodded.

"Good! Now you're going to go home and cut my grass," Mook joked.

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