A single man just increased his family 5 times when he became a father of five after officially adopting an entire family of siblings. He did it to prevent them from being separated by the foster care system last week.
According to multiple news outlets, Robert Carter adopted siblings Marionna, Makayla, Robert, Giovanni, and Kiontae. When asked why he chose to take such a huge leap of faith, he explained that he personally knew how it felt to be removed from a biological home and ripped away from loved ones.
As the third oldest of nine, Carter knew firsthand the tragedy of being removed from a biological home and separated from siblings. At 12, he came into foster care in Hamilton County when his mom, unsupported and struggling with alcoholism, was incapable of caring for her children. He didn’t see some of his younger siblings for years. Carter thrived and was granted custody of a younger sister and guardianship of a younger brother once he was emancipated. His memories motivated him to stand in the gap for his own family and for his new one.
“When permanent custody was awarded to JFS, the five siblings were already placed in three different foster homes,” adoption worker, Stacey Barton said to Ohio’s HCkids.org. “Mr. Carter was the only foster parent willing and able to adopt all of the children. His childhood background has made him aware of the importance of keeping siblings together. He says that he enjoys being their father and that parenting them is easier than he could have ever imagined! His life is busy, with a lot of love, laughter and loudness! I have enjoyed working with him and witnessing the children bond as siblings.”
Keeping a family together in adoption is rare. But even adopting African American children is also rare.
When it comes to adoption, Americans might assume that each child is treated equally. But research shows that darker-skinned children are repeatedly discriminated against, both by potential adoptive parents and the social workers who are charged with protecting their well-being.
According to Washington University law school professor Kimberly Jade Norwood, “In the adoption market, race and color combine to create another preference hierarchy: white children are preferred over nonwhite. When African-American children are considered, the data suggest there is a preference for light skin and biracial children over dark-skinned children.”
Yes, the child’s skin color–not just the race–also plays a major factor. Regardless of race, adopting parents prefer to adopt a light-skinned child. A 1999 study