Judge Stephen Brown’s courtroom was packed Friday afternoon for the National Adoption Day ceremony.
Seven children were adopted into six families from across Grays Harbor.
“This is one of the few things we get to celebrate,” Brown said.
Courthouses across the state held similar events. Newly expanded families were welcomed and cheered after each adoption.
“The National Adoption Day is a celebration of the families who step forward to adopt the children out of foster care,” Brown said. “It can be through relative placement or other foster care parents. But as more kids are adopted, unfortunately, more kids come in. So we are always looking for new families to adopt kids.”
This was the 15th year that National Adoption Day was celebrated by courts across the state.
Across Washington, more than 10,000 children are in foster care.
More than 2,100 children have “legally lost their parents forever and are waiting to be adopted into permanent families,” according to a proclamation from the Grays Harbor Commission.
Newly adopted, Kasyn White reaches for a teddy bear Friday during the National Adoption Day ceremony in Judge Stephen Brown’s courtroom at Grays Harbor County Superior Court in Montesano. (Michael Lang | Grays Harbor News Group
Sawyer Drake tries to contain her excitement about getting a new cousin Friday during the National Adoption Day ceremony in Judge Stephen Brown’s courtroom at Grays Harbor County Superior Court in Montesano. (Michael Lang | Grays Harbor News Group)
The Robles family (center) is sworn in Friday during the National Adoption Day ceremony in Judge Stephen Brown’s courtroom at Grays Harbor County Superior Court in Montesano. (Michael Lang | Grays Harbor News Group)
The Robles family — Sean (from left), Terri, Eric and Julianna — watches as Eric finishes signing an adoption certificate Friday during the National Adoption Day ceremony in Judge Stephen Brown’s courtroom at Grays Harbor County Superior Court in Montesano. (Michael Lang | Grays Harbor News Group)
The Robles family (from left) — Sean, Terri, Eric and Julianna — watches as Julianna finishes signing an adoption certificate Friday during the National Adoption Day ceremony in Judge Stephen Brown’s courtroom at Grays Harbor County Superior Court in Montesano. (Michael Lang | Grays Harbor News Group)
Kasyn waits to be adopted by Steven and Lorna White on Friday during the National Adoption Day ceremony in Judge Stephen Brown’s courtroom at Grays Harbor County Superior Court in Montesano. (Michael Lang | Grays Harbor News Group)
Plushies and gentle toys fill the jury box Friday during the National Adoption Day ceremony in Judge Stephen Brown’s courtroom at Grays Harbor County Superior Court in Montesano. (Michael Lang | Grays Harbor News Group)
A girl waits patiently Friday during the National Adoption Day ceremony in Judge Stephen Brown’s courtroom at Grays Harbor County Superior Court in Montesano. (Michael Lang | Grays Harbor News Group)
Anne Ramsey and Erick Hayter-Ramsey are sworn in Friday during the National Adoption Day ceremony in Judge Stephen Brown’s courtroom at Grays Harbor County Superior Court in Montesano. (Michael Lang | Grays Harbor News Group)
Gianna signs her adoption certificate while her new parents and Judge Stephen Brown watch Friday during the National Adoption Day ceremony in Judge Stephen Brown’s courtroom at Grays Harbor County Superior Court in Montesano. (Michael Lang | Grays Harbor News Group)
The Drake family has plenty to smile about after adopting Klarity (right) on Friday during the National Adoption Day ceremony in Judge Stephen Brown’s courtroom at Grays Harbor County Superior Court in Montesano. (Michael Lang | Grays Harbor News Group)
A packed court room Friday awaits the National Adoption Day ceremony at Grays Harbor County Superior Court in Montesano. (Michael Lang | Grays Harbor News Room)
