When two boys were highlighted on WFAA’s Wednesday’s Child program three years ago, the siblings expressed their earnest desire to be adopted together.
“I just wanna be adopted because I want to live a happy rest of my life,” 12-year-old Ethan told WFAA in Arlington in 2019.
Evan, then 10 years old, said if someone adopted them, he would want to tell them, “Thank you for adopting us, and I love you.”
Two years ago, in 2020, Evan and Ethan got their wish: they were adopted together.
After watching the report on WFAA’s Wednesday’s Child, Julia and Robert Perez decided to adopt Evan and Ethan. Julia could tell the fun, athletic boys would be a good fit with their other six adopted children.
Evan said he was happy to “have these two,” gesturing towards his adoptive parents.
Evan is now 13 years old. Ethan is 15 years old and currently serving on a mission trip in Honduras. The Perezes are proud of their sons’ growth and happy to be able to give the boys a permanent home that they will never have to leave.
In a system that often results in the separation of siblings, Evan and Ethan were able to be adopted together. Before the boys’ adoption, their older sister was adopted separately from them.
According to the Adoption Exchange Association, “Research suggests that siblings placed together experience lower risk of failed placements, fewer moves, and many emotional benefits.”
For example, siblings adopted together “often feel more secure and are able to help each other adjust to their new family and community.”
Approximately two-thirds of the children in the foster care system also have a sibling in the system. However, a recent study in England revealed that a third of potential adoptive parents would not consider adopting siblings, making them harder to place in permanent homes.
Robert Perez credits God for getting them all to where they are today. The boys remain active, never lacking company for a game of basketball. Evan is even the face of a Christian organization that promotes foster care and adoption worldwide, Stand Sunday.
