The week of September 15 to 19 promises high-stakes drama in Salem as Chanel Dupree DiMera sets her heart on adopting Tesoro and turns to her mother, Mayor Paulina Price Carver, for help. With Tesoro poised to become available, Chanel sees a narrow window to start the family she and Johnny DiMera have been debating for months. But emotions, secrets, and tangled loyalties threaten to turn this dream into a full-blown custody showdown.
Paulina’s Leverage: Can Chanel Move Up the Adoption List?
Chanel knows the adoption process can be slow and fiercely competitive, so she asks Paulina to help her move up the list of potential parents for Tesoro. It is an audacious ask, even for a mayor with clout. Chanel’s urgency stems from the fact that Johnny has finally come around to the idea of building a family together, and Tesoro feels like the missing piece. From Chanel’s perspective, there is no reason to wait when the little boy she has grown attached to could soon need a permanent home.
But even if Paulina can open doors, the emotional and legal obstacles ahead might be tougher than any paperwork. Chanel and Johnny may be ready to love Tesoro, yet they are not the only ones who have fallen for him.
Johnny’s Change of Heart, and the Shadow of the Past
Johnny stepping back into the family conversation did not happen overnight. Not long ago, he and Chanel were looking into adopting the baby of Tate Black and Sophia Choi. That plan imploded when Johnny learned that his own conception was the result of coercion involving EJ DiMera and Sami Brady years ago. The revelation left Johnny worried about the darkness in his family history and whether he might repeat patterns he despises.
That fear caused him to pull the plug on adoption at the time, devastating Chanel. It has taken time and soul-searching for Johnny to reconsider. Now that he is ready, Tesoro has become the focus, and Chanel hopes fate will finally align in their favor.
Javi’s Pain and Leo’s Loyalty Complicate Everything
Here is the complication: Javi Hernandez has been candid about how hard it would be to give up Tesoro. He confided in Steve Johnson that simply imagining the goodbye is unbearable, and with good reason. Javi carries a devastating loss in his past — a daughter who tragically died after being left in a hot car. That trauma fuels his protective instincts and explains why the thought of parting from Tesoro cuts so deep.
Leo Stark has been steadfast by Javi’s side, offering empathy and support. He loves Tesoro, too, and the pair have stepped up for the little boy when it mattered most. Neither Javi nor Leo wants to lose him, and their bond with Tesoro could easily translate into a legal fight if adoption moves forward without them.
What Steve and Brady Are Investigating About Sophia
Meanwhile, Steve Johnson and Brady Black continue to investigate Sophia’s account of events. Their digging is not just due diligence; it could shape the destiny of Tesoro. Details surrounding the baby’s origins have been murky, and in Salem, murkiness often signals a twist. Their work might also intersect with what Rafe Hernandez has set in motion on the law enforcement side.
DNA Questions: Is Tate the Father, or Is a Twist Coming?
Rafe recently ordered a DNA test to clarify the baby’s paternity. If the sample fails to match Tate Black, that will trigger a seismic shift in the case. Speculation is already bubbling that a surprise name — possibly Aaron Greene — could be the real father. In a town where results have been tampered with in the past, viewers might wonder whether someone like Melinda Trask could interfere. Ironically, a twist here might not even require tampering. Sophia has lied before, and although her deceptions complicate everything, it was impossible not to feel for her when she delivered alone in her room. Still, hard truths will come out, and they will have consequences.
Salem’s Emotional Stakes: Many Have Fallen for Tesoro
Tesoro has captured hearts across the canvas. Chanel and Johnny see him as the child they are ready to raise. Javi and Leo feel like his protectors and everyday family. If Tate ultimately learns the baby is in Salem — and that he might be connected — he could assert parental rights. Sophia, too, might reconsider what she wants when the reality of adoption becomes imminent. When so many people feel a claim on the same child, a custody fight becomes almost inevitable.
Why Chanel and Johnny May Be the Frontrunners
On paper, Chanel and Johnny might have the best shot at a successful adoption. Despite past doubts, they are now aligned, stable, and committed. They would also likely offer Javi and Leo a place in Tesoro’s life, acknowledging the love and care those two have already provided. That spirit of inclusion could ease tensions, even if it does not erase the heartbreak.
By contrast, Leo’s history could be a hurdle if he and Javi pursue adoption themselves. Leo once delivered Nicole Walker’s baby and then helped Sloan Peterson keep that child under false pretenses. Those choices are not easy to overlook, especially in a background check. For a judge or agency focused on the child’s best interest, those past misdeeds would weigh heavily.
Paulina’s Role: Pressure Meets Process
So where does Paulina fit into all of this? As mayor, she knows how systems work and how to advocate hard without breaking the rules. She can push the process forward, make calls, and ensure Chanel and Johnny’s application gets fair — and swift — consideration. But even Paulina cannot override paternity findings, the rights of biological parents, or the compelling emotional ties that Javi and Leo have formed with Tesoro.
Brace for a Custody Battle
Spoilers suggest that the tug-of-war over Tesoro is just beginning. With Javi’s grief shaping his every decision and Leo’s devotion crystal clear, neither man is likely to walk away without a fight. Chanel’s resolve is stronger than ever, and Johnny, newly steadied, is prepared to stand with her. Add in the looming DNA results and the possibility of new revelations about the baby’s father, and the stage is set for a courtroom clash or at least a fierce negotiation.
Why This Matters
At its core, this storyline examines how love, loss, and second chances collide in Salem. Chanel and Johnny want to turn hope into a family. Javi and Leo are trying to protect the child who helped heal old wounds. Tate and Sophia, whether connected by biology or not, may redefine what they want as truths emerge. And with Paulina, Steve, Brady, and Rafe working their angles, every move matters.
As the week unfolds, watch for the DNA test to narrow the field, for Paulina to exert every ounce of influence she can, and for tensions to spike as all sides consider what is truly best for Tesoro. No matter how the paperwork shakes out, some hearts will break — and Salem will not be the same once this battle lines up its players.