Office of Communications and Public Affairs
2011-D Commerce Park Drive
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
410-260-1488

Media Advisory:
Circuit Courts in Maryland Celebrate National Adoption Day

(ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Nov. 18, 2013) National Adoption Day is Saturday, Nov. 23, and Maryland’s courts will take part in celebrations throughout the week.

National Adoption Day was established in 2000 to raise awareness that there are more than 100,000 children in foster care waiting to find permanent, loving families. During last year’s National Adoption Day event, judges, attorneys, adoption professionals, child welfare agencies and advocates helped finalize the adoptions of more than 4,500 children from foster care in almost 400 U.S. cities while celebrating all adoptive families. Since 2000, more than 44,000 children have had their adoptions finalized during National Adoption Day events.

National Adoption Day activities in Maryland Circuit Courts include:

Prince George’s County
The Circuit Court for Prince George’s County will celebrate National Adoption Day Wednesday, Nov. 20, in conjunction with the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services. Families who have finalized adoptions will be formally presented to the court in a ceremony that will begin at 10:30 a.m. in Courtroom M3400 at the Prince George’s County Courthouse, Upper Marlboro.

Seventh Judicial Circuit Administrative Judge Sheila R. Tillerson Adams, Judge Beverly J. Woodard (an adoptive parent), Judge Larnzell Martin Jr., and Judge Cathy H. Serrette will preside over the adoption ceremony. Several guest speakers and sponsors will honor the achievements of families involved in the adoption process.

For more information, please contact Prince George’s County Circuit Court Adoption Coordinator Angela Means, 301-780-8033.

Anne Arundel County
The Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County will commemorate National Adoption Day Thursday, Nov. 21, at 9 a.m. in the Annapolis courthouse, Courtroom 4C. Administrative Judge Nancy Davis Loomis will preside. Clerk of the Court Robert Duckworth will talk about his experience as an adoptee. A small family reception will be held in the fourth floor gallery following the courtroom proceedings.

Baltimore City
In Baltimore, 20 children will leave the foster care system to become members of their new families Saturday, Nov. 23, at 9:30 a.m. Baltimore City Circuit Administrative Judge Marcella A. Holland, Judge Robert B. Kershaw, and Judge Yvette M. Bryant will preside together over the adoptions in the Ceremonial Courtroom in the Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr., Courthouse, 100 N. Calvert St., Baltimore.

After the adoptions are finalized, the new families will celebrate together at a reception featuring cake, balloons, face painting, and arts and crafts activities. The newly adopted children will receive personalized gift bags. Baltimore’s event has been coordinated with the Bar Association of Baltimore City, with support from the Baltimore City Department of Social Services. The court welcomes photography and videotaping of the event. Families are encouraged to bring their cameras.

Baltimore County
The Baltimore County Circuit Court National Adoption Day event Saturday, Nov. 23, will begin at 11 a.m. in the Old Courthouse Ceremonial Courtroom, 400 Washington Ave., Towson. Judge Sherrie R. Bailey and Judge Justin J. King will preside over the finalization of several adoptions, after which a reception for the families will be held on the Old Courthouse first floor.

The reception, which will include light refreshments, face painting, crafts and gifts, is hosted by the Baltimore County Department of Social Services and the members of the Baltimore County Bar Association.

MEDIA CONTACT: For more information about any of these events, call the Maryland Judiciary Office of Communications and Public Affairs,
410-260-1488.

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