Press Release

Press Release  Massachusetts Trial Court Celebrates 17th National Adoption Day in Courthouses Across the Commonwealth

For immediate release:
11/22/2019
  • Massachusetts Court System
  • Juvenile Court
  • Probate and Family Court

Media Contact   for Massachusetts Trial Court Celebrates 17th National Adoption Day in Courthouses Across the Commonwealth

Jennifer Donahue and Erika Gully-Santiago

BOSTON, MA In courthouses across the state, 140 children who had been in state foster care were formally adopted as part of National Adoption Day, a yearly event that raises awareness of the thousands of Massachusetts children in need of adoptive families.

Trial Court Chief Justice Paula M. Carey delivered remarks before a packed hall in the Worcester Trial Court.

"Presiding over an adoption ceremony has always been one of my favorite responsibilities as a judge," said Chief Justice Carey. "Adoption Day is especially wonderful because it is a way for us to be together to celebrate the children who have found their forever families, and to thank those loving families who have welcomed these children into their hearts and homes...While many people go through life talking about helping others and wanting to make a difference, you've stepped up and done it - and what a difference you have already made."

Hon. Carol Erskine, First Justice of the Worcester Juvenile Court, was Master of Ceremonies. Other speakers included First Lady of the Commonwealth Lauren Baker; state Senator Michael Moore; Department of Children and Families Commissioner Linda Spears; Juvenile Court Chief Justice Amy L. Nechtem; and adoptive parents Blair Miller, a national TV correspondent, and his husband, Johnathon Miller, who adopted their third child. Lavender Darcangelo, who is adopted, sang during the ceremony.

Following the ceremony, 48 children were adopted by 35 families.

National Adoption Day events also took place in the Edward W. Brooke Courthouse in Boston; the George N. Covett Courthouse in Brockton; Hampden County Juvenile Court in Holyoke; Essex Juvenile Court in Lawrence; and Berkshire Juvenile Court in Pittsfield.

Essex Probate and Family Court in Salem celebrated 16 private adoptions, and Probate and Family Court Chief Justice John D. Casey presided over three adoptions.

National Adoption Day is supported by the Massachusetts Court Improvement Program, which receives federal funds and is administered by the Supreme Judicial Court. Members of the Adoption Day Planning Committee spoke at the events. Committee members include court leaders and personnel from the Juvenile Court and Probate & Family Court, as well as staff members from the Department of Children and Families, Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE), Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), and community volunteers.

 

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Media Contact   for Massachusetts Trial Court Celebrates 17th National Adoption Day in Courthouses Across the Commonwealth

  • Massachusetts Court System 

    The Massachusetts court system consists of the Supreme Judicial Court, the Appeals Court, the Executive Office of the Trial Court, the 7 Trial Court departments, the Massachusetts Probation Service, and the Office of Jury Commissioner.
  • Juvenile Court 

    The Juvenile Court Department oversees civil and criminal matters statewide involving children including youthful offender, care and protection, and delinquency cases.
  • Probate and Family Court 

    The Probate and Family Court Department handles matters involving families and children, like divorce, child support, and wills.
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