Love in the nick of time

Many children "age out" of foster care when they turn 18, leaving them suddenly on their own.

Lorenzo Green was reaching that point. He had been in foster care for 13 years, bounced from house to house.

Then, his dream came true Wednesday in a Pinellas County courtroom when a judge finalized his adoption -- at the age of 17, days before his 18th birthday.

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Lorenzo said he grew up wanting more.

"Because I didn't get the opportunity to have that kind of relationship with my father, and my family. So being adopted will make me see how it is, to have a real family forever," he said.

Wednesday, in a Pinellas Courtroom, Lorenzo was all smiles. He had his new mom, Carolyn Newson-Green by his side.

"Yeah I'm very excited," he told Judge Raymond Gross.

What's so unique about Lorenzo's adoption is that he is 17. He's going to turn 18, on Sunday, the 28th.

If he would have reached his 18th birthday, before the adoption, Lorenzo would have been on his own.

At 18, teens in foster care "age out" of the system. The state is then no longer required to give them assistance.

An attorney handed Judge Raymond Gross the paperwork for the adoption. And then the Judge granted the motion.

"I have been presented a final judgment for adoption of Lorenzo Antonio Green, it's been dated the 24th of February 2010. Before your 18th birthday, signed and made final," said Gross.

A big cheer erupted from the crowd in the courtroom, there to support the Greens.

Carolyn says when she met Lorenzo, she knew he would be a good fit for the family.

"I saw the personality of a young man who was outgoing, someone who wanted something special in a Mom. And I do believe I have that, character. And I do plan to make his experience in my home and with my family the best ever," Newson-Green said.

Green has four biological children and cares for two other foster kids. Right now, there are 120 foster kids in Pinellas and Pasco Counties.

About 800 foster kids "age out" of the system every year in Florida. Thankfully, Lorenzo is off that list now.

"It's just something that I wanted to have happen. Something that means something to me, something I wanted for a long time. And it happened," said Lorenzo with a smile.

For more information on becoming a foster parent or adopting a child, call 1-866-233-0790 or go to www.heartgallerykids.org