A 5-year-old boy has gone viral after inviting his entire class to court so that they could see him get adopted into a new family.
Young Michael Orlando Clarke Jr. from Kent, Michigan, was overjoyed when he learned that he would be getting new parents.
To share his joy with his kindergarten classmates, the boy invited all of them to the Kent County Court on the day he was legally adopted.
In a series of photos, the five-year-old appeared ecstatic as his classmates waved sticks with hearts on them. The kids were also addressed by Judge Patricia Gardner whom they told the heart-wrenching reason why they appeared in the court.
“Michael is my best friend,” one of the children said.
“My name is Lily and I love Michael,” another one explained.
As for the young boy’s teacher, she also had something very important to share.
“We began the school year as a family. Family doesn’t have to be DNA, because family is support and love,” she said.
After the adoption process was completed, Michael’s classmates burst into cheers much to the amusement of the boy’s new parents and the judge.
Following Michael’s case, 37 other kids who were patiently waiting for the Adoption Day to arrive were welcomed into new families.
According to the court, all of the kids got “lovingly and officially welcomed by their families” during Kent’s Adoption Day.
“Sometimes their journeys have been very long. They’ve included miracle and change for the children and family, and incredible community support – as you’re able to see today in Michael’s adoption hearing,” Judge Gardener said in an interview with ABC 13’s On Your Side.
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Replaced!