Adoption Makes It Official
Richard Colacecchi never planned to end up in that courtroom when he became a foster father several years ago. "I didn't go into fostering to adopt. I went into fostering just to step into the role of my calling... what I feel like I was called to do," he said. Since then, he's provided a home for many kids. He currently has a foster child in addition to the four children he just officially adopted.
Richard Colacecchi and Daniel, 14, wait their turns for a hair cut at The Hair Factory in Evansville a week ago Friday.
Richard Colacecchi dishes up a hot meal of chicken, sweet corn, noodles and mashed potatoes for his soon-to-be adopted boys at their Evansville home a week ago Friday. Colacecchi said one of his main duties was making sure his boys had a hot meal every night.
J.T., 13, gives his soon-to-be adoptive dad, Richard Colacecchi, left, help with his billiard game at the YMCA a week ago last Thursday.
Richard Colacecchi's clan heads to his pickup after an evening of game playing at the YMCA a week ago Thursday.
Eli, 6, takes his bath under the supervision of soon-to-be adoptive dad, Richard Colacecchi, Tuesday night. Colacecchi needs to make sure the youngest stays on-task since he'll play in the tub with his toys until the water turns to ice.
Richard Colacecchi attempts to get the television working in the younger boys' room a week ago Friday.
Eli, 6, has a difficult time being separated from his soon-to-be dad, Richard Colacecchi, before his Oak Hill Baptist Church Sunday school class last week.
Eli, 6, and Xander, 8, receive their new plaid shirts from soon-to-be dad, Richard Colacecchi, about two hours before their official adoption at the Vanderburgh Superior Court Thursday morning. All four brothers looked "fresh" in their new shirts, trousers and shoes.
The Colacecchi men raise their right hands as their adoption ceremony begins at the Vanderburgh Superior Court Thursday morning. Richard Colacecchi was adopting the four boys he has been fostering, from left, Xander, 8, Eli, 6, Daniel, 14, and J.T., 13.
Eli Colacecchi, 6, has a moment of bashfulness after the lawyer asks him what his new name will be after his adoption by new dad, Richard Colacecchi, on National Adoption Day at the Vanderburgh County Thursday morning.
Vanderburgh Superior Court Magistrate Renee Ferguson, center, offers her gavel to Eli Colacecchi, 6, to make his and his brothers' adoption "official" during National Adoption Day Thursday morning. J.T., 13, left, Zander, 8, second right, and Daniel, 14, all took the last name Colacecchi, the same as their new dad, Richard Colacecchi, top center, of Evansville.
The Colacecchi brothers, from left, J.T., 13, Xander, 8, Eli, 6, and Daniel, 14, add their flowers to the 2019 adoption tree at the Civic Center Thursday morning.