DAYTON, Ohio — Thousands of children are in foster care in Ohio — hoping to find a loving family that will change their lives. For 12 children in Montgomery County, that day was Friday.

Walking into a courtroom may make people feel uneasy. But for little 3-year old Warren, it’s a very special day. “That’s a big camera!” he exclaimed.

Friday was the day his foster parents, Randy and Priscilla Adkins, changed his life forever.

“Warren has been with us since he was seven weeks old,” Priscilla said. “So he’s been part of our family from the very beginning. And we weren’t looking to add anyone because we already have five biological but he really grew on us. And so he’s stuck with us forever.”

The smile on his face showed that he knew it was a big day — but he was still a little bit shy. But for his new parents they wouldn’t have him any other way.

“Warren definitely keeps us busy,” Randy said. “Never a dull moment. He’s in and out of everything like a normal boy would be, but we just made a connection, and we just want to make him ours forever.”

Judge Alice McCollum is wrapping up her 16th year granting adoptions before retirement. She takes great pride in making families more complete.

“This is a great day for everybody, the families, the children and for the community because we don’t want children to get lost,” McCollum said. “And that’s the whole point of it.”

With his five new brothers and sisters watching and Warren spinning around in a chair, Judge McCollum made it official.

“This adoption is hereby final,” she proclaimed.

But before the party wrapped up, the judge invited Warren up to the bench so he could make it official, too, capping a very important day for the Adkins family.

“He’s been engrained in our family, and there’s no turning back for sure,” Priscilla said.