Ashley Matson (center, as Queen of Hearts), finalized the adoption of 1-year-old Edyn on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, during the FSS Home for Halloween adoption event. (Chanel Martin/Family Support Services)

It was a boo-tiful day to celebrate family, fun — and some birthdays!

(Chanel Martin/Family Support Services)

Family Support Services’ seventh annual Home for Halloween adoption event celebrated the adoption of 13 children into 10 families. Two children also celebrated their birthdays during the festive event, including Edyn Matson, who turned 1 year old. Also worth celebrating was four children exiting the foster care system in less than one year. Families, the Adoption team and case managers dressed in costumes, as the fourth floor of the Duval County Courthouse turned into a trick-or-treat wonderland filled with games, creative candy stations and more, all provided by members of the Clerk’s office and Guardian ad Litem.

Action News Jax and News4Jax were on hand to capture the moving story of Ashley Matson, who was there to adopt birthday baby Edyn — not only her third adoption as a single mom, but her second adoption this year! Hear what the beaming mom has to say about adoption, fostering and what this means to her and the children in her life — and how you can make a difference for local children too.

WATCH: Halloween Adoption Day 2025 at the Duval County Courthouse

With more than 300 children in Duval and Nassau counties open to adoption, the need for permanent, loving homes is ongoing — particularly for teens and sibling groups. To learn more and begin your adoption journey, click here.

Follow Family Support Services on Facebook for more information about upcoming events.

For media inquiry, click here to email our team.