x
Breaking News
More () »

13 children adopted, found their 'forever homes' in Jefferson County

If you have ever thought about fostering or adopting, please take that next step."

BEAUMONT, Texas — The Jefferson County courthouse celebrated national adoption day on Nov. 22. A total of 13 children were able to finally call their family a "forever home."

This year’s courtroom theme was Toy Story. Judge Larry Thorne among other facilitators were dressed in their favorite costumes from the Disney classic.

There are hundreds of children that still need a home in the state of Texas. Events like this bring more exposure to the option of adoption.

The Plunkett family adopted their first child, a one-year-old boy named Iain. Father Jonathan Plunkett says their professional background led them to be foster parents which eventually led the couple to adopt. “We both had occupations where we gave back to the community and to our county. I was in the military and she was a nurse practitioner. It’s in our giving nature,” said Jonathan.

This year, the Grooms family adopted a 9-year-old girl named Addison. A year prior, the Grooms family adopted three children. Misti Grooms, also known as mom, said she was called by God to have more children. “We know we’re following God, and we know that’s what we’re meant to do.”

Misti Grooms is the mother of six; she has two biological children and four adopted children. 7-year-old Ezekiel Grooms, and his twin brother became a part of the Grooms family on national adoption day in 2018. Ezekiel said he was happy when he was adopted last year. Now, he has a home where he can “live with mommy, forever and ever.”

These are just two families who are impacting foster children in their adolescent lives. Sheri Pulliam said there are approximately 300 foster children in Jefferson County, 200 in Orange County and 120 in Hardin County. Pulliam, a Child Protective Services representative, said most of the younger children were adopted today, but there are older children without parental guidance who are still waiting on their special day.

“You see a lot of children here who were adopted that were smaller in age. But there are older children here who are waiting for their forever home. If you have ever thought about fostering or adopting, please take that next step.”

Partial news release from CPS Representative…

Those interested in becoming a foster-to-adopt parent can log onto to the www.adoptchildren.org website. This website provides information on where to attend an adoption meeting and it spells out the requirements to become a foster-to-adopt parent.

The website also features many of the children who are legally free for adoption and who want their very own forever home. Short bios and photographs are included.

The process begins with attending an Adoption Information meeting, where after a short presentation, prospective parents can ask questions about the process that can forever change the life of a child.

During the past fiscal year, more than six-thousand Texas children found their forever families.

If you think you can be a forever parent for a child in Texas, please visit our website at www.adoptchildren.org or call toll-free 1-800-233-3405 for more information.

More on 12News..

Watch this recently adopted baby with Down syndrome who can't stop smiling

New York man adopts 5 siblings so they can stay together

The New Normal: Imelda's floodwaters reinforce importance of family for Beaumont man

Before You Leave, Check This Out