TOLEDO, Ohio — Six kids served by Lucas County Children Services found permanent homes on Tuesday, as part of the county's National Adoption Day event, bringing children together with parents ready to legally adopt them.
The annual event is something county Probate Court Judge Jack Puffenberger has been a part of for a long time, having approved over 8,000 families for adoption during his 36 years on the bench.
He says watching each one come together is still his favorite part of the job.
"It's a very positive experience for both, it's not just the parents helping the child have a life, it's also what the child brings to the parents. It's a mutual thing," Puffenberger said.
For families like Michael and Robin Hahn and their soon-to-be son, Savion, it's a gift.
The Hahns have wanted to be parents for years but struggled to conceive their own child. A friend suggested fostering, and that's how they met the energetic three-year-old.
"He is never upset, he's always singing dancing, everything. He's just everything you could want in a little boy," Robin said. "The moment we met him, we knew he was going to be ours, it's just a feeling. Then he came into our home in about February, and to actually be here is insane, the best feeling."
After months of applications and paperwork, the Hahns and three other families gathered inside the Imagination Station's KeyBank Discovery Theater to finally seal the deal.
Puffenberger called the first family, and it was the Hahns.
As they sign papers, Puffenberger can't help but be charmed by Savion, playing games with him, keeping him engaged and even learning that the three-year-old could make him laugh.
Puffenberger said the family has been given stellar reviews by LCCS. After more than six months of Savion living with the Hahns, the court finds it's in his best interest to be in their care.
"Therefore, the court orders the petition for adoption to be granted, and the court orders the name of the minor changed to Savion Michael Hahn, which he shall be known here fore after," Puffenberger said at the event.
The declaration made it official. Savion is a member of the Hahns now and forever.
As the Hahn family, now a unit of three, huddled over the document showing the change, Savion quietly sang, "I'm adopted! I'm adopted!"
While Savion and five other children were able to find their forever homes, LCCS representatives said there are still 211 children county-wide who are still waiting to be adopted into permanent families and 3,400 across the state.
If you think this journey might be right for you, contact LCCS. For information, click here.