It was a unique Halloween themed adoption event for 15 kids in Jacksonville who were adopted right before Halloween. The event took place at the Duval County Courthouse with 11 families attending. The courthouse was decorated with Halloween banners, spider webs, eyeball balloons, paper mache jack-o-lanterns, candy buckets and not-so-scary cutouts.
Unlike other adoption ceremonies that typically require a suit and tie and other forms of professional attire, costumes were allowed in court for the children. 8 year old Shyla wore a police costume and was given the title of "honorary bailiff" for the day. Her adoption was later finalized that day with daycare owner Angie Sheppard becoming her new mom. Other school-aged attendees wore cowboy, wizard and ninja costumes to the event.
"Having an opportunity to oversee adoptions throughout the year, and be part of an extraordinary moment for each of the new families coming together, has been a joy," said Judge Michael Kalil, who presided over the adoption ceremony. "So many children look forward to this time of year specifically because of all the holiday events they can participate in."
"I hope we’ve been able to bring that same level of happiness to the 15 children and 11 families we’ve brought together at today’s Home for Halloween event," he added.