Elena and Paul stopped by the Open Ninth studio to speak with Chief Judge Lauten about their journey as foster care parents and, now, adoptive parents. Together, they have five biological children, two foster children, and have recently adopted a baby boy.
Elena and Paul explain that fostering children has its challenges, but the opportunity to help bring positive change and improvement to the lives of so many children is extremely rewarding. Over the years, they have cared for over two dozen foster children. Elena explains how the children usually enter the home broken, afraid, and insecure but over time become happy, relaxed, and positive about life. They credit their success to the passion they have for children.
After years of serving as foster care parents, they met a week-old newborn named Marco. Elena and Paul immediately fell in love. On, November 17, 2017, during a National Adoption Day ceremony, little Marco became a part of their permanent family. On that day, nearly 30 other children were welcomed into their “Forever Families” during companion ceremonies in Orange and Osceola counties.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a foster parent or adopting a child, please visit these websites:
Former Chief Judge and Moderator
Judge Fred Lauten served in the Ninth Circuit from 1994 to 2019. Between 2015 and 2019, he served as Chief Judge of the Circuit.
Adoptive Parents
Paul Mannix and Elena Sciuto are foster and adoptive parents with five biological children, two foster children, and a recently adopted a baby boy.