National Adoption Day celebrated at Clark County Courthouse

Libby Cunningham, The Evening News and the Tribune, Jeffersonville, Ind.
·2 min read

Nov. 17—CLARK COUNTY — John, Erica, Cooper and Patti Grace Atchison have always been family, but on Friday morning it became official.

That's when John adopted Cooper during an emotional hearing in Clark Circuit Court No. 4.

The hearing coincided with National Adoption Day, and more than a half-dozen families in Clark County were able to officially add a family member during those hearings. The day is always emotional, especially because the adoption process can take more than a year to complete.

"We've been together her whole life now it's..." John said, stopping to shed a tear. "...official."

John and Erica said the wait has been worth it, but the process has been lengthy. They've had to fill out all required paperwork, go through background checks and wait for the court date to come.

"It doesn't really change a whole lot for us, but means a lot for me," John said. "It's been a long process, it's been a lot. Which is good, you don't want just anybody adopting out kids."

The Atchinsons have sons as well, and are looking forward to telling a son who's away at military basic training the good news about Cooper's adoption over the weekend.

Clark County Magistrate Judge Lisa Reger said she presided over about seven or eight adoption ceremonies on Friday.

Adoptions hold a special place in her heart, because she spent years as an attorney representing both adoptive families and birth parents.

"If I see someone that's teary-eyed, and I see all the emotions, I get drawn-in as well and I get teary-eyed myself," Reger said.

Adoption cases are some of the most important work done at the court house, she said.

"For us as judicial officers, it's one of the best things we can do," she said. "It's a happy day, we're bringing families together and finding suitable homes for children."

Reger said she's done hundreds of adoptions over the years and both parties deserve to be commended for their parts in the process.

"Birth parents don't get the credit they deserve," she said. "Because what they are doing is so selfless. They are putting the child they love ahead of their feelings, and making a very difficult decision for that child...the whole process is very rewarding."