A Kentucky teacher, Justin Padgett, adopted one of his students, Jayden, along with his three siblings after Jayden expressed his desire to be adopted. Justin and his wife, Kasey, had been hoping to have a child of their own but had been unable to do so. After Jayden’s plea, the couple began the process to adopt the four siblings, starting in April 2021. They were involved in a program called Wendy’s Wonderful Kids, which helped keep the siblings together during the adoption process. The adoption was finalized on March 3, 2022, bringing the family of six together.
The Padgetts had initially been preparing to become foster parents when Jayden expressed his desire for adoption, expediting the process. Throughout the process, they provided support and care for the siblings, taking them to church and preparing their rooms without revealing the potential adoption. The children moved in with the Padgetts in July 2021, and the family has since moved to Danville, where Justin Padgett now works at the Kentucky School for the Deaf. The children have spiritually grown under their care, and the Padgetts hope their story will encourage others to consider adopting teens from foster care.
The Padgetts emphasize the need for special love and attention for older children who have experienced trauma and hardships, such as being removed from their homes and going through the foster care system. The family has persevered through challenges and hardships but continues to work together to provide a loving and supportive environment for the children. Justin and Kasey are open to the possibility of having a biological child or adopting another in the future, trusting in God’s plan for their family.
The Padgetts hope their story will inspire others to consider fostering or adoption, even for teachers who may form strong bonds with their students and have the capacity to be involved in their lives outside of school. They highlight the importance of providing resources for mental health and guidance for older adopted children as they navigate their paths towards higher education or a trade. Despite the challenges, the Padgetts continue to persevere and support each other, seeing their family as a true blessing and fulfillment.
The journey of the Padgett family began during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 when Jayden, one of Justin Padgett’s students, approached him about being adopted, along with his siblings. The Padgetts, who had been hoping for a child of their own, quickly began the process to adopt the four siblings, with the help of Wendy’s Wonderful Kids. The children moved in with the Padgetts in July 2021, and the adoption was finalized in March 2022. The family has since grown spiritually and continues to provide a loving and supportive environment for all their children, emphasizing the importance of providing special care for older adopted children.
