Couple adopts eight children - Tuesday, January 13, 2009 | Courier Electronic Edition

Local News

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Couple adopts eight children

By J. STEVEN DILLON

STAFF WRITER

A couple from southern Ohio did the unthinkable Monday: they adopted eight Hancock County children, all brothers and sisters, who have been living in three separate foster homes until recently.

The eight children, between the ages of 5 and 17, will become part of an even bigger family. Their adoptive parents already have seven children.

Monday's "mass" adoption may have been the most unusual in Hancock County history.

Hancock County Probate and Juvenile Judge Allan Davis conducted the final adoption hearing in Hancock County Common Pleas Court. The eight children fidgeted as they sat in the jury box, waiting for their names to be called by the judge.

While the proceeding was in a public courtroom, adoptions in Ohio are private matters, so the names of the adoptive parents and the eight children are not considered public record.

Records show the children were removed from their biological parents in February 2006 after being found in "unsafe and unsanitary conditions" at a Findlay home that had been condemned.

The home had one bathroom, with non-working plumbing.

The juvenile court granted Hancock County Children's Protective Services Unit permanent custody of the children in July 2007 following a trial.

That ruling, later upheld on appeal, came after the biological parents, who are considered "mildly" mentally retarded, failed to complete a case plan and were unable to obtain appropriate housing for the family. The couple also didn't complete evaluations and counseling, according to records.

At that point the adoption process started, and the couple from southern Ohio offered to adopt all eight children.

As the juvenile court judge, Davis oversees about 140 adoptions a year, most of them involving children who are adopted by a stepparent. Other adoptions, known as agency adoptions, take place after the Children's Protective Services Unit obtains permanent custody after establishing that neglect, abuse or dependency has occurred. Monday's proceeding was an agency adoption.

Most agency adoptions involve one or two children, and Davis can only recall one case where as many as four children were put up for adoption from the same family.

Couples rarely adopt multiple children, he said, and often siblings end up being adopted by different families.

Such was not the case on Monday. Not only will the eight children stay together, they will "inherit" seven other siblings — the adopting couple's "other" children.

Those children were also present for Monday's hearing.

Davis, who has overseen hundreds of adoptions since 1974, admitted Monday he has never had a case that involved so many children from the same family.

"This one was unique," he said. "It's almost always preferred to keep children together, but it isn't always possible. I've never had one work out like this."

The adoption was approved only after a series of background checks of the prospective parents, and evaluations and interviews with the children.

The Children's Services agency in the county where the adopting family resides worked closely with the Hancock County agency to ensure the arrangement was in the "best interests of the children."

The children have been living with the adoptive parents for the past six months or so, Davis said.

"It was kind of a trial run to see how things work out," he said.

Monday's final hearing was scheduled after all the T's had been crossed, and Davis had made arrangements for a courtroom big enough to hold the new family and well-wishers.

"There wouldn't have been room in my courtroom (in juvenile court)," Davis said.

One by one, the adoptees joined Davis at the bench, where the judge asked each, one last time, if they were OK with the arrangements and their new names.

Those over 12 years of age signed their names on documents, while Davis vouched for the younger children after they either responded or nodded their heads. Davis hoisted the youngest child, 5, onto his lap so the boy could see over the top of the desk.

Before they returned to their seats, Davis allowed each adoptee to pound the court gavel — and gave each one a miniature hammer as a keepsake. Following photographs with the judge, with all 17 members of the family present, and hugs from local caseworkers, the new extended family left the courtroom. Minutes later, they piled into a large van and headed "home" to begin their new lives in southern Ohio.

Dillon: 419-427-8423,

Send an e-mail to Steve Dillon

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9 Comments

Latest comments listed first.

K wrote:

Kudos to Judge Davis

Reading this story brings back so many memories of being raised with foster children in Findlay. I will always remember getting to pound the gavel as a sixth grader (29 years ago) when two of those foster children were adopted into our family. God bless you Judge Davis for all you continue to do for the many needy children of Hancock County!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:40:07 PM

owner wrote:

8 children

Praise the Lord! May this entire family be blessed beyond their dreams! :)

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 12:43:34 PM

Jen wrote:

Eight children adopted

What a refreshing story. It was a wonderful thing for this family to do-taking on all these children. While I feel for the natural family of the children, and understand this might be an upsetting article to them, I also wonder if any of them stepped up to take on the children. The parents obviously didnt, or couldnt do what they needed to to keep them, so thank God that these beautiful people stepped in to take them all, and keep them together. It warms my heart to know they have a chance to rise above the deplorable conditions they were raised in and have a good life. May God bless these people, and reward them all with a happy and fufilling life.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:32:59 AM

JS wrote:

wishing them well

I think it is a great thing to post that this family went way out of their way to keep these children together! If I were their real parents I would be eternaly grateful to them for doing so. This was obviously not a closed adoption and the real parents may still have a chance to be in their lives in the future. I think this remarkable family deserves recognition for their efforts and will inspire others to follow their lead.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:04:05 AM

vicki wrote:

Great Story!

What wonderful news!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:13:13 AM

Linda Reinhart wrote:

family adopts 8 children

I go online each morning and read the Courier since I live in Florida after moving from Fostoria, today's story about the 8 children was such a ray of hope we don't need the wonderful sun here. How blessed those children are and what a wonderful family to include them.Please let them know that people across the country are pulling for them. Thank God for people like them. Now 8 of our treasures will have a better life for sure. Linda Reinhart retired Sun City Center Florida

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 7:55:48 AM

Julie Bolyard wrote:

children

This has to be one of the most uplifting stories that i have ever read..my thought and prayers go out to this family and the judge they all did the right thing in matter..how cool

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 7:55:46 AM

Jennifer Reigle wrote:

Eight Children Adopted

The 8 children were/are my nieces and nephews. I am glad that they can finally have a home that we'll be theirs together. I am sad that they won't be around the area but at least they have each other to lean on.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 5:55:08 AM

tanya wrote:

this is crazy

how can you post this knowing the family still may live in findlay and it could crush them and that they would be hurt and have problems with this being published

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 2:28:30 AM

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LITTLE ROCK NINE: Jefferson Thomas, who was among nine black students initially barred by the Arkansas governor from attending Little Rock Central High School in 1957, spoke to Findlay students as part of Black History Month. The crisis was a pivotal moment in the struggle for civil rights.

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LATEST COMMENTS Last 10 comments submitted by our readers...

Mark wrote in article "Officials say stuck cars may be towed":

Snow, snow and more snow

We should all know by now, it's going to snow, but you know, people still want to go when we all know we better not go.

2/9/2010 2:47:48 PM

tim wrote in article "Officials say stuck cars may be towed":

Kyle....It's another story

This was definately a City of Findlay plow. Just wondering....

2/9/2010 2:45:32 PM

A wrote in article "Sheriff reminds motorists of road level advisories":

Thank You!

I would like to thank all those involved in the city and county who are trying very hard to make the best of a bad storm. Yes,...

2/9/2010 2:36:10 PM

Understanding wrote in article "Officials say stuck cars may be towed":

snow

I don't think the woman who complained that "too much snow had been piled at the end of her street, blocking her view" was in th...

2/9/2010 2:28:17 PM

Kyle wrote in article "Officials say stuck cars may be towed":

To Tim

It's a very good possibility that a plow with it's blade up was not a City of Findlay plow. Many people have their own plows and...

2/9/2010 1:17:57 PM

SNOW REMOVAL wrote in article "Officials say stuck cars may be towed":

SNOW REMOVAL

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR AFFORDABLE SNOW REMOVAL CALL MIKE (419) 236-9474...NO NEED TO PICK UP A SHOVEL OR CRANK UP THE SNOWBLOWER...

2/9/2010 12:42:55 PM

HLB wrote in article "Officials say stuck cars may be towed":

That's really sad...

You know, people are rude enough most of the time in this city and this last storm when random folks pulled together and I saw t...

2/9/2010 12:32:18 PM

rob wrote in article "Officials say stuck cars may be towed":

pile of snow

I cannot believe someone would call up and complain that a pile of snnow was blocking their view. What is this world coming to....

2/9/2010 11:38:49 AM

tim wrote in article "Officials say stuck cars may be towed":

put the blades down this time

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Jimbo wrote in article "Sheriff reminds motorists of road level advisories":

To Debbie..

I want to express that I understand where you are going with your post, but be practical. If a level 3 is called, that means no...

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A trip to Washington, D.C. that Findlay and Ottawa officials were planning to make this week has been postponed because of the inclement weather.

Findlay Mayor Pete Sehnert said officials have rescheduled the trip for Feb. 23 to meet with a lobbying group and congressional representatives regarding federal spending on flood control projects.

Fostoria requires clearing sidewalks
FOSTORIA -- Fostoria residents are responsible for removing snow and ice from sidewalks within 12 hours of a storm, according to police Capt. Patrick Brooks.

The city code covers residential owners or tenants, and business owners of properties which abut a sidewalk.

An offense is a minor misdemeanor, with a fine of up to $100. Each day constitutes a separate offense.

Library in Forest reschedules event
FOREST -- Because of the expected inclement weather, the Forest-Jackson Public Library has rescheduled its Valentine luncheon planned for Thursday to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 18.

Reservations are required. Anyone with questions can call the library at 419-273-2400.

Disc golf tourney set for Saturday
The Ray Heverling Charity Ice Bowl Tournament has been rescheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Riverbend Recreation Area, off Ohio 568 east of Findlay.

Registration begins at noon.

The tournament was canceled last Saturday because of a snowstorm.

The Disc Golf Community Association, in cooperation with the Hancock Park District, sponsors the event. Proceeds go to the Family Center of Findlay-Hancock County.

For more information contact Nathan Buck at p_nate@thecatalystcc.com or 419-306-7405. Entry fee is $20. Additional donations are accepted.

Housing Authority meeting postponed
Because of an expected winter storm this week, the Hancock Metropolitan Housing Authority has canceled its regular board meeting scheduled for Thursday. It will be held at 8 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 18 at the Family Center.

Fostoria library to close Monday
FOSTORIA -- Kaubisch Memorial Public Library will be closed Monday, Feb. 15, in observance of Presidents Day.

Crime Of The Week
Findlay/Hancock County Crime Stoppers is looking for information about a break-in at the Arlington Pharmacy, 200 Main St., at 12:51 a.m. Dec. 28.

A glass pane in the front door of the business was shattered, and entry was made. Once inside, the perpetrators took prescription medications and fled on foot.

Two white males were seen running from the business. The males were possibly in their late teens to early 20s, and possibly entered a vehicle.

People with information about this or any other crime that would lead to an arrest or indictment will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Crime Stoppers can be called weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 419-425-TIPS or 419-425-8477. Callers can remain anonymous.

The Web site is www.hancockcrimestoppers.org.

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Local News

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

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