The peaceful rhythm of Summer Bay is poised for significant disruption as Roo Stewart’s heartfelt dreams of adopting her foster son, Cohen, face an unexpected and formidable challenge. Cohen, a vulnerable teenager, first arrived in the Bay in mid-May under complex circumstances. Discovered by Sergeant David Langham alongside his homeless mother, Samantha, Cohen’s introduction to the community was marked by his mother’s arrest for possessing stolen goods and a history of criminal activity. With Samantha relinquishing all parental rights and a police search for other known family members, including a grandmother in Canberra, yielding no results, Cohen faced an uncertain future.

It was Roo Stewart, renowned for her compassionate nature and her recent return from a period of reflection after a challenging fostering experience with Eliza, who stepped forward. Despite initial reservations from her father, Alf Stewart, about fostering so soon again, Roo opened her home and her heart. Cohen quickly found a new sense of stability and belonging at Summer Bay House, forming an especially strong bond with Alf over their shared love for fishing. This newfound connection and the deep affection that blossomed between them led Roo to contemplate a life-changing decision: adopting Cohen. The prospect brought immense joy and hope to Roo, envisioning a permanent, loving family unit. Cohen, initially hesitant about adoption due to the implication of a final separation from his biological mother, soon embraced the idea, touched by Roo’s unwavering care and kindness. As actor Nathan Murray, who portrays Cohen, expressed, “At first, Cohen wasn’t very fond of the idea [of adoption] because that meant he would most likely not be able to see his mother again. But, after he realised how caring, friendly and loving Roo was to him, he quickly decided that’s what he wanted.” With Cohen’s consent secured and the legal process initiated, Roo’s dream of becoming a mother again seemed almost within reach, promising a new chapter of stability and happiness for them both.

However, the path to adoption is rarely straightforward, and a startling revelation threatens to derail Roo’s aspirations entirely. The imminent arrival of Adrian Purcell, a man claiming to be Cohen’s biological father, casts a long shadow over their burgeoning family. Adrian’s sudden appearance at Yabbie Creek Police Station, presenting a photo of a newborn he believes to be Cohen, immediately forces Sergeant Langham to put Roo’s adoption application on indefinite hold pending a DNA test. For Roo, this news is a profound shock, a devastating blow to the fragile hope she had dared to nurture. Her immediate reaction, a cold retort to Adrian – “Well, no one else was here to do it” – underscores her protective instincts and the deep resentment towards a parent who had been absent for so long. The core question looms large: how far will Roo go to protect Cohen from potential heartache and disruption, especially given his recent traumatic experiences and newfound stability?

The emotional stakes escalate dramatically as Roo attempts to shield Cohen from the unsettling truth. Unaware of Adrian’s presence or his claim, Cohen continues his life, embracing his bond with Roo and Alf. Yet, despite Roo’s desperate efforts to maintain the illusion of normalcy, Adrian is determined to connect with the son he has never known. In a tense confrontation in the parkland, Adrian approaches Cohen, uttering the words that could irrevocably alter the teenager’s life: “I think I’m your dad!” The scene quickly devolves into chaos as Roo, witnessing the encounter, desperately tries to intervene, shouting at Adrian while Cash Newman rushes over to de-escalate the volatile situation. Cohen’s bewildered and heartbreaking response, “I don’t have a dad,” reveals the depth of his abandonment and confusion. Nathan Murray articulated Cohen’s emotional turmoil, explaining that his character “becomes very confused because he doesn’t know who he is… He thought this man was trying to take him away from the only person that cared about him.”

This explosive confrontation highlights the profound ethical and emotional dilemma facing all involved. For Cohen, who has only just begun to heal and trust, the sudden appearance of a biological father could reignite feelings of abandonment and instability, shattering the sense of security Roo has carefully built. For Roo, the situation represents a deeply personal battle; her desire to protect Cohen clashes with the biological father’s legal rights, threatening to tear apart the family she has fought so hard to create. The community of Summer Bay, particularly Marilyn Chambers and Alf Stewart, will undoubtedly rally around Roo, but the legal and emotional implications of Adrian’s claim are immense. Will Roo be forced to relinquish Cohen, or can she find a way to navigate this crisis and secure his future within her loving home? The return of a long-lost parent ignites a fierce conflict over the very definition of family, belonging, and who truly holds the right to shape a child’s destiny, promising an intense and emotionally charged chapter for the residents of Summer Bay.