New families celebrate National Adoption Day at Orange County Courthouse

Courthouse hosts ceremony for largest adoption day

ORLANDO, Fla. – Forty-three children across Central Florida now have forever families Friday which marks National Adoption Day.

A special celebration was held at Orange County Courthouse for the biggest adoption day across the country. Many of the children had previously been home to home while in the foster care system.

One Orlando family will need a lot of space, since it has gown six to nine children. Adam and Jaimi Gruler already had a blended family of six boys ages 8 to 19. On Friday, they adopted twin 6-year-old girls, and their 8-year-old brother who were in foster care. Adam Gruler, an Orlando Police officer, planned to adopt, but felt more compelled after his work as a first responder at Pulse.

"We just decided that we had enough love and time and dedication to give to children, a home and a family that children may never have an opportunity to have," Gruler said.

At any given time, more than 600 children are in the foster care system in Orlando. Social workers say they hope more families will open their hearts and homes to these children.