It was a good day for three children in Brown County as they were adopted into their new families in Brown County District Court on National Adoption Day on Monday.
Judge Stephen Ellis presided over the two adoption cases, one of a toddler and another of teenage siblings.
“This is a very special proceeding. I’ve interrupted a capital murder case because National Adoption Day was scheduled in advance and this is a special case,” said Judge Stephen Ellis.
The first case involved a 3-year-old boy who was adopted into his foster family. This adoption makes him the third child the Valdez family of Bangs has adopted after raising their own children who are now grown and starting families of their own.
The second case, a more complicated and thus kept anonymous, was of two teens, a brother and sister who were adopted by a CASA volunteer. CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate and the organization is made up of volunteers who help children when they enter the foster care system because his or her home is no longer safe. The CASA volunteer is appointed by a judge as a committed volunteer who is highly trained to represent and advocate for a child’s best interests in the child protective system. CASA volunteers are each assigned to help one child or a set of siblings at a time so that they can focus on giving the child or sibling group the individualized advocacy and attention they need.
In this case, the CASA volunteer decided to adopt the teens and a new CASA volunteer was assigned once they were moved into the new home. When asked if he loved these children and was ready to take on the challenges of raising two teenagers, the CASA volunteer (who is a single man) stated, “Absolutely!” Judge Ellis asked him if he was ready to provide a loving stable home that they so deserve, and he agreed with a big smile.
Brownwood resident Steve Blake has been their second CASA volunteer since August of 2008. Judge Ellis thanked him for making a difference in these kids’ lives. He explained Blake’s involvement to the audience.
“He is involved simply because he loves kids and he can,” said Judge Ellis.
Blake briefly addressed the children after the adoption stating, “It’s been a long time but it’s great.”
Adoption Specialist Shauna Wells with the Department of Family Services stated that the adoptions have taken 2 years for the toddler and 5 years for the teens due to the complicated case. Wells stated that there are approximately 20 children in Brown County that are open cases for adoption. To find out more about adoption, Wells invites the public to call her at 325-998-0737. To find out more about becoming a CASA volunteer in Brown, Comanche and Mills Counties,
A kiss for her newly adopted son.
The audience claps in support of the new adoptions.
A balloon release at Family Services Center celebrates the day.
