Will A. Robertson, 12, bangs a gavel inside a courtroom at the Barren County Courthouse after an adoption hearing on Monday, April 25, 2022. Standing next to Will are his siblings Gracie-Raine, 11, and Truett, 10, and Barren County Family Court Judge Mica W. Pence, all of Glasgow.
(BRENNAN CRAIN/WCLU NEWS)
GLASGOW — Squeals of excitement rang through a Barren County courtroom Monday after an adoption hearing. A couple adopted three siblings.
Troy and Lisa Robertson said foster care and children without families have always been special to them. They decided to embark on becoming foster parents a few years ago.
“You know, we didn’t get into it with the intention of adopting our first placement, but that’s what happened,” Lisa said.
Mica Pence, the family court judge in Barren County, presided over the hearing.
Will Alan Robertson, 12, Gracie-Raine Elisabeth, 11, and Truett Allen Robertson, 10, are three of eight children. Their siblings are older and have aged out of the foster care system. The three were scattered when they entered foster care but were later united at the Robertson household.
“Well, as a judge, this is the finality of a long struggle for three kids today but for a family a lot of times,” Pence said.
The judge said children are often placed in foster care and remain there for at least one year but sometimes stay for four to five years. There are about three to four adoption hearings each month in Barren County.
“It’s the best part of my job because we know that we have finally had success in finding these kids a safe place to live and happiness and a forever family to support them,” Pence said.
Will, the spunky and vivacious sibling, decided to take his father’s desired middle name. Troy’s middle name is Allen, but he said he always preferred it to be spelled “Alan.”
Truett has a similar story. He decided to take his father’s middle name, which is “Allen.”
The three children adorned shirts saying, “Peace out foster care,” “Happiness is adopting someone like me” and “Out of my way. It’s finally adoption day.” They happily nodded their heads and offered emphatic expressions when asked if they felt safe and provided for inside the Robertson household.
“I finally have a good home to stay and sleep and eat in,” said Truett. “And I don’t go from place to place in foster care have to deal with everything.”
Several family members and friends were at the hearing. Cameras and video cameras filled the room once the hearing was over and the children officially were imparted the Robertson name.
“It’s definitely worth it – even on the hard days,” Lisa said. “And even if fostering kids isn’t something you can do, there are lots of other ways to get involved and help out with foster parents. And ultimately help those same kids.”
Click here to find more information about becoming a foster parent in Kentucky.
