Forever holiday homes

Three-year-old Adalyn Dorta was among 19 children whose adoptions were made final at the annual Home for the Holidays adoption proceedings and reception held Dec. 15 in Courtroom 1A at the Marion County Judicial Center.

Twelve families came forward with their children to accept a Certificate of Adoption made official by Circuit Judge Stacy Youmans and presented by Santa and Mrs. Claus in a courtroom adorned with a 6-foot-plus decorated Christmas tree.

Marlene Dorta of Belleview, Adalyn’s adoptive mother, said the journey to adopt her daughter began over three years ago when she was working as a Lyft driver and picked up Adalyn’s biological mom, who was pregnant with her at the time.

Dorta said she was moved by “the Holy Spirit” to ask about the expected child and found out she would be up for adoption.

Youmans welcomed the adopting families and called the event a “celebration and legal proceeding.” She said the proceedings had a gingerbread man theme reflected in the Christmas decorations and in a children’s story: “Tough Cookie, A Christmas Story” by Edward Hemingway. The judge read the story about a fox and gingerbread man to the children in the courtroom as the characters and text were displayed on overhead monitors.

Youmans soon asked the parents to take a vow, which included providing food, clothing, a safe and loving home and teaching their children right from wrong while giving special care through good times and bad.

The children, in turn, were asked to commit to several guidelines including to love, honor and respect their parents every day.

The adoption process took several years and was facilitated by Kids Central, Inc., according to a number of the families.

Tom Raymond, who served as attorney for all of the families, said about 85 adoptions are made final annually through the Marion County courthouse, and roughly 250 are finalized throughout the entire five-county Fifth Judicial Circuit.

Dustin Brock, 47, said he’s wanted to adopt a teen “for 30 years.” He and his wife, Alicia, made their adoption of their daughter Melody, 14, official at the event. Brock said circumstances were correct to make his long-time “dream” to adopt come true.

Curtis and Kathy Chesser of Belleview were having fun opening gifts after the formal proceedings with their son Jordan, 7, whose adoption was made official at the event.

The Eades family officially grew by four members on Friday. Charlie and Casey Eades of Ocala finalized their adoption of Bailey,11, Jamison, 9, Leo, 8, and Emma, 5. Charlie Eades said the process took about two years. The family was engulfed by extended members and well-wishers after the event.

Missy and Art Hanson of Lake Panasoffkee came to the event to finalize the adoption of daughter Faith, 3. Missy, a kindergarten teacher, and Art, an engineer, met the birth mom, who was positive about the adoption. The couple have two sons, Riley, 7, and Remington, 6, and Faith also has a sister, Maryanne.

Missy Hanson said they are “excited” about finalizing the adoption. She said the couple feels “we got to pick her.” Missy Hanson feels there is no difference between a biological or adopted child.

Kimberly Bing, 56, of Bronson, made her adoption of Nygeria Ruth, 6, and Ja’Carious Ruth, 5, final at the event. Kyla Nicole Bing, who was killed in Gainesville on March 7, 2020, was the children’s mother and Kimberly Bing’s niece.

Kimberly Bing previously adopted a third child of her niece’s, Enocent Reese,11. Kimberly Bing attended the event with her daughter Adriana Flowers, 24. Kimberly Bing said she’s getting used to the various personalities of the children.

Jennifer Bradshaw, with the child and family support organization Kids Central, Inc., said KCI handled all 19 adoptions. According to kidscentralinc.org, “(as) a prevention program, Kids Central offers Kinship Care Support for relatives raising relative children to keep them from entering foster care.”

“In the communities of Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion or Sumter County … approximately 1,600 children are living in crisis every day. Kids Central recruits, trains, licenses, and supports foster parents and children who have suffered abuse, abandonment, and neglect,” according to the website. “Adoption services are also provided to find permanent living arrangements for children after judicial involvement,” the website states.

Foster or adoptive parent must be Florida residents age 21 and up; “financially stable and able to provide appropriate sleeping arrangements” as well as “support, care and stability,” according to KCI.

Tiffany and Jeremy Getmam of Citrus County made their adoption of Rylee, 7, and Marek, 3, official on Friday. The children had been removed from an “abusive home” and adopted in a four-year process.

“We’re very excited,” said Tiffany Getman, a full-time mom. Jeremy Getman is retired from the Army, and the couple have three other children: Payten, 15, Brandon, 13, and Janice Johns, 12.

Maggie and John Kishbaugh and their newly adopted daughter Rosa, 11, each wore shirts which read: “Gotcha Forever: Adoption day.”

Bryan and Jill Williams of Citrus County finalized their adoption of Lily, 4, and Hayden, 13. The two children make a total of six adoptive children for the family of 10 kids.

Bryan Williams operates B’s Lawn Service. He said the couple began fostering and adopting after they reached out to help the children of a family friend in distress.

A number of local dignitaries attended the event, including Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano, City Councilman Jim Hilty, State Rep. Ryan Chamberlain, Marion County Clerk of Court and Comptroller Gregory Harrell, Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken, a number of Fifth Judicial Circuit officials, and representatives of KCI.

Yolanda and Jose Carire of Palm Bay finalized their adoption of their daughter Eliana, 2, and Barbara Campbell made her adoption of Skylar, 5, official at the event.

Finalizing the adoption of Nickolas and Joel Rose made the docket complete.

Remington Hanson seemed excited to officially have a new sister, but the 6-year-old had one concern going into the courtroom: “(My) tooth is falling out,” he said.