Longest-waiting child in Arkansas foster care system adopted after 15 years

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – After nearly 15 years of being in the foster care system, 19-year-old Cozy is embraced in the arms of his new mom and dad, Tim and Anna Dietrich, on Monday.

Anna met Cozy through her job at Project Zero, a nonprofit that connects children in foster care to a permanent, loving home.

“Honestly, the Lord made it clear that we were supposed to all out adopt him. We’re supposed to give him our name, give him our family, and give him our whole hearts,” Anna said.

Cozy was the longest waiting child in Arkansas’ foster care. But after 5,429 days, the wait is over.

Members from the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Project Zero, and members of other organizations who have gotten to know Cozy throughout the years squeezed into the packed courtroom.

Anna said Cozy had been growing his family for years now. On Monday, he just made it official with a new last name.

“Cozy’s getting a whole crew today, and we’re so excited. And that is what we want for every single one of our waiting kids,” Anna said.

The family celebrated the day by spending time together, visiting a park, and eating, some of Cozy’s favorite things.