‘The Force’ of love brings families together
Court presents Adoption Day celebration
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WARREN -- Imagine a galaxy not so far away where the force of love united three children Friday morning with their forever families during a "Star Wars"-themed Adoption Day.
Trumbull County Probate Court Judge James Fredericka presided over the celebration of families being unified and made sure to emphasize the importance of the moment through a saying he shared about the secret to life and happiness.
"If you want to be happy for a day, go play golf. If you want to be happy for a week, go out, go on vacation. If you want to be happy for a month, buy a new car," Fredericka said. "But if you want to be happy for a lifetime, do something positive and significant in another person's life."
The judge himself has a personal connection to the ceremony having gone through an Adoption Day ceremony to cement the adoption of his daughter, Gina Fredericka. That ceremony was presided over by former probate court Judge Thomas A. Swift.
This year marked Fredericka's ninth year of being the acting judge during the event.
"The purpose of Adoption Day is to bring awareness. There are over 100,000 children in foster families awaiting adoption and the purpose of adoption day is to bring awareness to those children and to hopefully encourage people to become involved in adoption day," Fredericka said.
Two families -- the Lowerys and Brownlees -- through laughter and tears made the commitment to be a part of making a meaningful change in the lives of three children.
Brent and Jennifer Lowery, of Girard, were the first to accept the role and responsibilities of parenting 5-year-old biological brothers, Jermaine R. Lowery and Jermoni J. Lowery. The couple shared with the court that their first introduction to the two brothers came during the height of COVID-19 in 2020.
Three-and-a-half years later, Jennifer Lowery told the court the boys have become "part of the family," as demonstrated by several members of their close and extended family who were among the crowd.
"They know us as mom and dad. They have cousins, aunts, uncles and we are the only home they know and remember," Jennifer Lowery said.
Brent Lowery told the court, "I can't imagine what life was like before them," sharing the boys' love of the outdoors during camping trips and their love for being active in sports.
Their adoption was granted by the judge with the support and recommendation's of an adoption assessor who was questioned by defense attorney Callie Ray.
The assessor said the love and connection between the two boys and Brent and Jennifer Lowery were evident, and she thought it was in the best interest the boys remain with the pair.
Defense attorney Aaron Meikle introduced the second adoptive couple, Jeremy and Kerry Brownlee, of Dorset, who were there to accept the role of being the parents and guardians of 2-year-old Elena L. Brownlee. The couple also brought along their four other children, Emma, Madison, Aliyah and Ayden, who patiently watched their sister be officially welcomed into the bunch.
Testimony was given by Natalie Babinec of the Trumbull County Children's Services office, who told the court that Elena's biological brother, Ayden Brownlee, had already been a member of the family after being adopted in February. His sister Elena had resided with the family since 2021 prior to Friday's ceremony.
"All household members are observed to be connected and bonded to Elena, as she is to them," Babinec said. "The Brownlees have been strong advocates for Elena. They have provided her with a safe, stable and loving environment and want to continue to do so."
Kerry Brownlee fought through tears as she recalled being in the hospital with one of her adoptive children who had undergone heart surgery. For 58 days, she said the couple had been in the hospital when one of those days they received a call about whether to take in Elena.
"We got the call while we were fighting for his life and so I said I can't make that decision today," Kerry Brownlee said, but she told the court that God had a plan for Elena's life, one that eventually led her to the Brownlees. "She's Ayden's sister and we knew what a beautiful bond that they would have."
Despite the long days and nights, she said there wasn't a thing she'd change about her calling to be a mom.
"She's the perfect completion to our family," Kerry Brownlee said.
After the ceremony, the children were invited to sit behind the judge's bench for photos, but many chose to run around the courtroom equipped with light sabers provided by the court.
Children's Services said the agency has 129 children in its foster care system, 43 children in permanent custody, there's been 14 finalized adoptions, 17 now going through the adoption process and 30 more children waiting for placement in their forever home, according to the agency.