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Man Adopts Five Siblings To Stop Them From Being Separated

Man Adopts Five Siblings To Stop Them From Being Separated

'A lot of people think it’s hard if you’re by yourself or don’t have a house, but it’s a lot easier than people think'

Jake Massey

Jake Massey

A man in the US has adopted five siblings to stop them from being separated from each other.

Robert Carter, from Cincinnati, Ohio, always knew he wanted to adopt, as a gay man who himself grew up in foster care.

He said: "I've always known I wanted to adopt because I grew up in foster care myself.

"I knew about my sexuality very young, so I always figured I'd have to adopt if I wanted kids."

Robert said his children are 'amazing'.
SWNS

The 29-year-old began by fostering nine-year-old Robert Jr., five-year-old Giovanni and four-year-old Kiontae in December 2018.

However, he later learned they had been separated for six months from their sisters Marionna, 10, and Makayla, eight.

He subsequently tracked down the girls' foster mums and arranged a play date.

He said: "The kids saw each other and started hugging and crying and wouldn't let go.

"That was the moment I said 'Okay, I'm going to take all five'."

Robert took the bold decision having been separated from his eight siblings as a kid, spending the best parts of their childhoods apart.

He entered the foster system when his youngest sibling was two, and didn't see them again for 14 years.

He said: "I know the pain of being separated too well and I could not let that happen to them."

Robert doesn't want his children to go through what he did.
SWNS

Understandably, people were concerned about Robert's generous undertaking; looking after five children is no mean feat - let alone as a single 29-year-old. But Robert said family life is going well.

He said: "My five kids are amazing.

"A lot of people think it's hard if you're by yourself or don't have a house, but it's a lot easier than people think it's going to be and kids need parents whether it's two or one.

"After it was finalised, I just cried because it was over and I didn't have to worry about if they were going to be moved or would have to suffer anymore.

"I woke up the next day feeling relived, at peace and blessed to have these kids."

SWNS

The Carter family is now looking for a home, and a GoFundMe has already drummed up $39,000 (£29,857) of its $150,000 (£114,831) goal.

Robert said: "I can't even explain how unbelievable it is, just to have support and people sharing our story to bring awareness to the fact that we still have so many kids that need homes.

"I'm just happy that I'm able to help encourage people to step up as foster and adoptive parents so we can get these kids into great hands."

Featured Image Credit: SWNS

Topics: Awesome, Daily Ladness, Inspirational, Community