Holiday adoption event brings joy to families in Marion County

The holiday spirit was in full swing at the Marion County Judicial Center on Friday, Dec. 13, as 18 children found their forever homes with 13 families during a heartwarming adoption event presided over by Judge Stacy Youmans. The ceremony drew hundreds of people to witness the event, including extended family members, prior foster parents, and community supporters.

Among those present was Colleen Parker, a proud grandmother who shared her family’s touching adoption journey. Parker recalled the night her son and daughter-in-law received an emergency call about a 2-month-old baby named Kaylee. It was 9:45 p.m. when the couple welcomed Kaylee into their home. They already had one biological child of their own. Now, nearly two years later, they were officially adopting Kaylee and had also opened their hearts to her younger brother, Matthew, who is one year old and currently in the process of being adopted.

“The children will call me ‘Nana,'” Parker said with a smile and happy tears.

Another family, the Marshalls, adopted two more children, 10-year-old Israel and 8-year-old Eliana. Dale Marshall proudly shared that with these new additions, he and his wife have adopted ten children.

Judge Youmans commented on the large turnout, stating that the crowd reflected the strong sense of community in Marion County. During the proceedings, she asked the adoptive parents to promise, under oath, that they would care for their children in all aspects forever. The parents solemnly agreed. Then, she asked the children, “Do you promise to listen to your parents?” and “Do you promise to love and respect your parents?” The children responded with a resounding “yes,” which was met with applause from the audience.

In a festive twist, Santa and Mrs. Claus joined Judge Youmans in the courtroom, which had been decorated for Christmas.

The Suarez family also shared in the joy of the day, officially adopting Julian, age 1, and Floraida, age 3, siblings to another boy they had adopted two years earlier. Sherry Suarez, who had no biological children of her own but is now the proud mother of four, offered words of encouragement to those considering adoption. “Do it. It’s a blessing,” she said. Despite the challenges of raising four children, Suarez expressed that it had only deepened her desire to help “all the children.”

And the need is great. According to information handed out at the event, there are more than 100,000 children in foster care waiting for permanent homes, and almost 30,000 children in foster care reach the age of majority without ever being placed with a permanent family.

Following the legal proceedings, the families were welcomed with refreshments in the jury assembly room decorated for the holidays.