Friday, October 5--Yari's Adoption Moves Forward!

Yari's TPR (Termination of Parental Rights) Hearing...

Well, we got there 30 minutes early and it was torture to sit and wait and watch as folks came off the elevator. Turns out Michelle, aka birthmom, never showed!!! Her attorney showed and said he attempted to contact her with 3 letters and 20 phone calls since the end of July. The judge allowed him to withdraw as her counsel. He packed up and left the court room!

The County had a good representation of witnesses. There was a lady that helped Michelle when she was pregnant, the visitiation supervisor and the intake worker at placement. During the hearing the attorney (whom I'm told is a shark) looked at me and said "Mrs. Erb, are you willing to testify?" He then had me state my correct name and spell it! The supervisor for Children and Youth said (tongue in cheek) she worked till 6:30 pm the day before, solidifying this case, and all she got to say was, "Mrs. Epp, it's Mrs. Epp!!!" :)

...The County's attorney then asked questions about Yari's welfare, relationship with sibs, and what she calls us.

Then Yari's guardian ad litum walked in. The judge asked if he supports the motion to terminate the birth parents' rights, and he siad he "wholeheartedly" does. He noted that he met us and Yari and that she's bonded well to us. The judge then repeated the word "bonded" (we heard this term was KEY if Michelle appeals) with raised eyebrows. He then asked me if we were willing to adopt her and I said, "ABSOLUTELY!!!"

That was pretty much it! Judge then signed the termination. Michelle has 30 days to appeal. However, any appeal will only consist of today's hearing and there's no testimony, just a re-read of what happened today! Best case scenerio: 4-6 mos to finalize adoption!

As we left the courtroom the Judge gave us a thumbs up and said we'll see you soon!

It's now legal for us to call Yari, Abigail and we're getting her hair cut tomorrow!!!