Three local boys want to be adopted

December 24, 2019

Mansfield News Journal Staff report

Published 1:04 p.m. ET Dec. 23, 2019

MANSFIELD - Thirty-one kids are in permanent custody at Richland County Children Services and are awaiting adoption, according to the agency.

Twenty-two children at the agency were adopted in 2019 to date.

Mark J. Keck, Richland County Children Services supervisor, provided information about three boys who are in need of a home.

• James, 14, is a strong-willed individual who has been in substitute care since he was about 6 years old. He is active and is frequently engaged in physical activities. He is also one who enjoys creative activity. When he was younger, he loved to build things with Legos. As he has gotten older, he has evolved away from this to some extent, but if given a box of Legos, he will spend a lot of time building something. Sometimes he shows cautiousness around people he is not familiar with, but once he gets to know them, he is opens up more. James has a sly wit and humor, Keck said.

Like most kids his age, James loves video games, which is something that needs to be monitored and limited as with any child. He likes being outdoors, which is something he has enjoyed his entire life, going back as far as when he was still with his biological family as a grammar school-aged child. He likes riding bikes and scooters. He has tried skiing and really liked it. He now wants to try snowboarding. James likes to read, especially about dinosaurs and reptiles, a subject he has a lot of knowledge about.

Activities he enjoys are not limited to leisure activities, as James also likes to cook. With supervision, he can assist with cooking activities and could develop a skill that would serve him not only as a means of enjoyment, but as a life skill, and even the potential as a source of financial income as an adult.

On the subject of food, James’ favorite foods include spaghetti, burgers, pizza and barbecue meatloaf. Barbecue sauce is a condiment he would put on most anything — if it has barbecue sauce on it, he is inclined to eat it. There is only one food he expressly protests, even if covered in barbecue sauce: green beans. He does not like green beans.

James has the potential for learning a strong work ethic as evidenced by his pride in earning money. He will do extra chores around the house if it will help him acquire money. When he earns money, and has some to spend, he enjoys visiting local thrift stores where he can get more for his money. He also is willing to spend his money on leisure activities such as the cinema.

• Tyshawn,a soft spoken, well-mannered, 12-year-old boy, is mostly quiet around adults and people he does not know. Tyshawn doesn't have trouble making friends, as he is outgoing with his peers. Like most kids his age, when he is with his friends he can get loud and jokes around a lot, Keck said.

Don’t expect Tyshawn to start a conversation, but once you get him talking he has a lot to say if the conversation is of particular interest to him, especially if about video games, electronics, or music — some of his favorite pastimes.

Other activities he enjoys include dancing, though he tends toward shyness in front of others. Like a lot of boys his age, Tyshawn enjoys playing basketball, riding bikes and playing outside.

Tyshawn wants to be adopted and looks forward to a permanent home.

• Kiley, 15, is a well-behaved teen who loves to play football. He is involved in school athletics and aspires to be a strong figure on the gridiron. Motivated by eligibility for sports activities, Kiley does well in school.

He would like to be adopted for the sake of permanency, but Kiley also would like to remain in this area. He hopes to find a home where he can have the permanency he desires and maintain his social and community connectedness, Keck said.

Like a lot of boys his age, Kiley likes to be outdoors. He likes to engage in contact sports and activities. He does well with other boys who are currently placed in the same home with him. He gets along well with the other boys and enjoys having sibling relationships with his foster brothers.

If you are interested in learning more about how you can provide a home for one of these boys, or about becoming a foster-to-adopt parent in general, please contact Richland County Children Services at 419.774.4100 or visit www.richlandcountychildrenservices.org and follow the Foster/Adoption link at the top of the page to begin the process.

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