Couple adopts four siblings, judge in tears

In Johnson County District Court, Judge Kathleen L. Sloan asked for something unusual. "I order this packed courtroom to give the Watsons a standing ovation," she said. The judge had just finalized the Watsons' adoption of four siblings ages 11-17. 

Childless, the Kansas City area Watsons applied to become foster parents in 2015. The very next day, they got a call from the local social service agency. Four siblings were in need of a home, and they wanted to stay together. A bit overwhelmed at the idea of going from zero to four, the Watsons took a couple days to think it over. But they decided, 'bring 'em on.' 

Since then, the Watsons have bonded with the kids. To hold everyone, they built a larger house and bought a Honda Pilot. Even the children's biological grandmother gives her stamp of approval on the adoption. It was, in Judge Sloan's words, "the best hearing that any judge gets to have."