It has been a long battle over the custody of little Max, one fought so fiercely that Gary Stocklaufer had life threatening weight loss surgery in order to increase the odds of little Max, whom he and his wife had been raising as their son since he was a week old, returning to their home, after he was removed at four months old.

A judge ruled today that Gary and his wife, Cindy, were to be awarded custody of the now eight month old baby boy, stating that it was in the child's best interest that the Stocklaufer's be permitted to adopt him.

The other couple that has been caring for baby Max these past few months, and who also had applied to adopt him, were ordered to hand custody of Max over to the Stocklaufers at a mutually agreed upon private location.

Scott and Tandy Kraus, the people who have been caring for Max while this court case has been going on, had also hoped to make Max a part of their family, considering him their son from the moment that he came into their lives. A earlier ruling to transfer custody of Max to the Stocklaufers was ignored by the Kraus family, however this time around the courts gave them little options, but to obey the ruling and say their goodbyes to little Max.

While this case was a tragedy for all involved to endure, it is important to look on the bright side. So many children sit and wait for families that never come. So many children wait in foster care year after year, hoping against hope that a family will claim them as their own, and here we have a case of a little boy whom was so loved and touched so many lives that he had more than one adoptive home jumping to be his forever family. Finally a happy foster care ending.