Murphys seeking public’s help for adoption expenses through GoFundMe

Contributed photos Former Marshalltown residents Ryan and Kourtney Murphy are trying to raise enough money to adopt a boy they have been fostering since he was a newborn. Since he is a foster child, his face is not allowed to be shown and his name is protected.

COUNCIL BLUFFS — For the past two years, Ryan and Kourtney Murphy, formerly of the Marshalltown area, have been licensed foster parents to eight children — five of them coming into their home for at least a short time.

In Oct. 2018, they took home a newborn baby boy when he was 8 days old.

“We have parented him and loved him since that day, we are the only parents that he has even known,” Kourtney said. “About two weeks ago we have been selected by the DHS adoption committee to become eligible to adopt our precious little man.”

She added that the happy ever beginning will be coming as soon as the end of February or early March.

However, in the last few days, the couple learned of some unexpected costs and fees that are much higher than they had planned for.

Complications with the baby’s case have made the costs associated with the foster care adoption much greater than is usually the case.

With Ryan being born in Marshalltown, Kourtney living here since third grade, and both being graduates of Marshalltown High School, the couple is reaching out to their family and friends in the area with a GoFundMe page called Team Murphy Adoption. Their goal is to raise $3,000.

“We want to keep fostering and adopting, as we both are pretty passionate about keeping on doing that in the future,” Kourtney said. “We love him so much and are super excited to get to have him in our family permanently — we have so many friends in the Marshalltown area praying for us.”

“If you are able and willing to donate any amount to help defray some of those unexpected costs, we would be so grateful.” Kourtney concluded.

: Contributed photos Former Marshalltown residents Ryan and Kourtney Murphy are trying to raise enough money to adopt a boy they have been fostering since he was a newborn. Since he is a foster child, his face is not allowed to be shown and his name is protected.