The Little Girl Who Arrived as an Angel
Eloise Joni Richards was named after Denise’s late mother, Joni. Richards adopted her domestically as a single mother in 2011, after a long and emotionally exhausting two-year process. At times, Richards admitted she nearly lost hope.
Some adoptions came heartbreakingly close to happening before falling apart entirely, leaving her devastated and discouraged. But Richards later explained she always believed the child meant for her family would eventually find her way home.
And eventually, Eloise did.
Years later, Richards would learn that her daughter had a deletion in chromosome 8, a rare chromosomal disorder that affects development. The diagnosis officially came in 2016, though Richards had sensed from the very beginning that something was different.
Eloise was slow to reach developmental milestones as a baby. She struggled to sit up independently for a long time and did not begin walking until she was two years old — and even then, only with the help of extensive physical therapy.
When Richards first opened up publicly about her daughter’s condition in 2019, she revealed that Eloise could say only a few words.
The actress also explained that her daughter’s understanding could seem remarkably age-appropriate one moment before appearing much younger the next.
The Girl Who Makes the Whole Family Stop and Notice
As the years passed, Richards continued sharing occasional glimpses into life with Eloise — and each one painted a portrait of a deeply sensitive and observant young girl.
In 2025, the actress confirmed that Eloise was considered primarily nonverbal. But Richards was quick to point out that very little escapes her daughter’s notice.
She described Eloise as incredibly perceptive and emotionally aware, particularly when it comes to the people she loves most.
