INDIANA, USA — It's a day Hoosiers in Hamilton County have been waiting for. Families came to the courthouse Friday to finalize their adoptions on National Adoption Day and they were overcome with joy.
"It's hard to try and actually contain it right now. Just excited. Very excited," said parents Chris and Katelin.
Chris and Katelin, who didn’t want to share their last name, are hoping to adopt 4-and-a-half-year-old Cass.
"Cass was our first placement, and here we are about a year-and-a-half later," said Katelin.
According to recent statistics, there are more than 100,000 children in the U.S. foster care system waiting to be adopted.
Since the inception on National Adoption Day in 1999, more than 400 communities across the country have hosted National Adoption Day events, recognizing more than 75,000 children moving from foster care to a permanent family.
In the courtroom Friday, Chris and Kaitlin were asked: "Do you believe adoption is in his best interest today?"
"Completely," responded Chris.
The couple anticipated this moment.
"He's the most welcoming kid. He'll greet anybody. He's not scared to say hi. Just a good-hearted kid," said Chris.
And with that, the judge congratulated the couple.
Cass's adoption - now official.
"It's definitely some bitter sweetness with obviously there is a break with the biological family, but we hope that maybe we can establish our relationship at some point. But we're just really excited to have him as part of our family,” said Katelin.
Cass’s younger brother, Colin, was also adopted but to a different family.
A family, Cass’s new adoptive parents say, they plan to keep close. The couple hopes others consider adoption.
"It's super important. These kids, they need somewhere to go to be safe whether or not it becomes adoption or reunification, just to have someplace that they can go where they're cared about and loved," said Kaitlin.
For more information on National Adoption Day visit the link here.