LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Jefferson County Family Court had a busy docket; 34 families finalized adoptions.

What You Need To Know

  • Thirty-four children were officially adopted in Louisville Friday

  • It was done as part of National Adoption Day 

  • Parents who previously adopted were present to support and congratulate the new parents

The court participated in National Adoption Day. Ahead of the hearing, parents who have adopted previously and several Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) gathered to support and celebrate the new families. 

“When we first got into this, we didn’t realize how many children were in need in our community. We had no idea that there were children in our backyard that were desperately in need of a family and a home,” Brad DeVries, a parent of five adopted and three other children, said. 

In the nearly 20 years since he and his wife adopted their first child, DeVries says he’s mentored or helped over 100 families, “That’s no exaggeration.”

He spoke to those who gathered ahead of the hearing. His biggest piece of advice for the new parents? Have patience.

“Make sure that you know that they’re going through a lot, too,” DeVries explained. “And so as you transition, becoming their parents, there’s going to be a huge transition for them, and sometimes that transition can last for years.”

Cameras are not allowed in family court, but Spectrum News 1 was able to speak with one judge beforehand. For Family Court Judge Bryan Gatewood, this is personal. 

“All three of my children are adopted,” Gatewood said. “Judge Webb has an adopted daughter. My brother is an adoptive parent. So in our families, adoption means a lot. It’s how we have we’ve gained our family.”

He adds days like this show off the good that comes out of family court, quite literally creating families.

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