Robert Carter, a 29-year-old from Ohio, adopted five siblings separated in foster care, reuniting them into one loving family.
A Father’s Love Reunites Five Siblings
An Ohio man has captured hearts around the world after adopting five siblings who had been separated in foster care.
On October 30, Robert Carter, a 29-year-old cosmetologist and small business owner from Cincinnati, officially adopted Marionna (10), Robert (9), Makayla (8), Giovanni (5), and Kiontae (4) — bringing the brothers and sisters back together under one roof.
“The noise went up 13 or 14 notches”, Carter told Good Morning America, “but I’d rather have that noise knowing they’re happy and happy together”.
A Childhood That Inspired Compassion
Carter’s motivation came from his own difficult childhood. As the third-oldest of nine children, he entered the foster care system at age 12.
“When my youngest brother was 2, I didn’t see him again until he was 16,” he shared. That painful experience gave him a lifelong mission: to provide stability and love for children in need.
“I grew up in foster care and I’ve always wanted kids,” Carter said. “There are too many kids in the world who need forever homes, so I figured I would adopt.”
A Journey from Foster Parent to Forever Dad
In 2017, Carter became a licensed foster parent. The following year, three of the boys – Robert, Giovanni, and Kiontae – came into his care. Later, their sisters, Marionna and Makayla, joined them.
After learning the children had been split into different foster homes, Carter pushed to reunite the siblings through regular visits, something he wished someone had done for him when he was young.
“Once I found out they had sisters, I started advocating to set up visitations”, Carter said.
Six months later, the siblings were joyfully reunited after enduring months apart.
The Adoption That Changed Everything
Stacey Barton, an adoption worker with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (JFS), said Carter stood out from the beginning.
“Mr. Carter was the only foster parent willing and able to adopt all of the children”. Barton said.
“His own childhood made him aware of how important it is to keep siblings together”.
Barton described Carter’s home as “full of love, laughter, and loudness” – the perfect environment for children who had experienced neglect and instability.
Spreading the Message of Fostering and Adoption
With his story inspiring thousands online, Carter hopes to raise awareness about foster care and adoption.
“As long as you have the means and love to give, anybody can do it,” he said.
He also shared that seven is his lucky number, and that he hopes to one day adopt a newborn, continuing to grow his loving family.
For Carter, every challenge has been worth it. His home is now filled with laughter, toys, and the kind of chaos that comes from five happy kids finally together again.
“I’d rather have the noise”, Carter said, smiling, “knowing they’re happy and happy together”.