Milwaukee Latino family adopts twins, encouraging other Latino families to take the step

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Christmas came early for a Latino family in Milwaukee -- as their legal adoption of twins was made official today.

This touching moment sheds light on the importance of adoption -- and especially the need for Spanish-speaking foster parents in Milwaukee County.

It was an emotional day for the Caro-Jimenez family -- as today they legally got to call a pair of twins their own.

On Friday, three-year-old twins Lerenzo and Leonna completed the Caro-Jimenez family.

Parents Ivelisse Caro and Bernardino Jimenez, accompanied by family -- shedding tears of joy.

The parents fostered the twins at 5 months old. They've been housing foster children since 2012 -- in a Spanish-speaking household.

According to Children's Wisconsin, 13% of children in Milwaukee in the foster care system are Latino -- and only 6% of foster parents are Spanish speakers.

License and placement specialist of Children's Wisconsin Norelis Cruz says the need for Spanish-speaking adopters and foster parents is high.

"Typically you know with the Latino community what happens in the family stays in the family and so that's why it's very important for more Hispanics to kind of, if they're willing, able to kind of step up and help other Latino kids so they can you know maintain their roots, maintain their culture and most importantly their language," said Children's Wisconsin license and placement specialist Norelis Cruz.

The Caro-Jimenez parents say they couldn't have fulfilled their family without the support from Children's Wisconsin

"I could always talk with my licensor and she'd listen. With that you always feel more liberated," said mother Ivelisse Caro.

The Caro-Jimenez family say they hope by sharing their story, other families in the Milwaukee area step up to foster children.