CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — One local family is finally complete and ready to celebrate!
It has been a long time coming after years of working with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
10-year-old Marlee Walker was adopted at birth by Darra and Kenneth Walker. She told 3NEWS that she was excited to see three of her siblings added to the family.
"I was happy, and I was kind of nervous. My sisters got adopted, and I'm just kind of happy about it," Marlee said.
Judge Timothy McCoy granted the adoption of 2-year-old Melody and 4-year-old Catherine Tuesday morning in Nueces County Court at Law 5.
20-year-old Hannah also completed the adoption process, however, in a district court.
Darra says the moment was bittersweet for her and her husband, who were helped along the way by their court-appointed special advocate and CASA volunteer Michael Ivey.
"Somebody whose gonna fight for them no matter what, and I'm not here to be liked by anybody but those kids," Ivey said. "So as long as they are protected and they are safe where they're at, as a forever home, that's the only thing that matters."
The special day also happened to be Kenneth's birthday, so the court broke out in song.
More from 3News on KIIITV.com:
- Man attacked, killed by pack of dogs in Rockport
- Young girl drowns at Aransas Pass Aquatic Center
- Wheel of Fortune Live! is coming to Corpus Christi
- Potentially dangerous bacteria found in Gulf of Mexico poses health risk to Coastal Bend community
- First stay cable to be installed on Harbor Bridge Project
- Here's when you can watch the 2023 solar eclipse over Corpus Christi
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for your daily news and exclusive extended interviews.
Do you have a news tip? Tell 3!
Email tell3@kiiitv.com so we can get in touch with you about your story should we have questions or need more information. We realize some stories are sensitive in nature. Let us know if you'd like to remain anonymous.