Adoption Day
It was smiles and tears all around Wednesday in Courtroom One as 25 youngsters were officially welcomed into their forever families.
The 11th annual Butler County Adoption Day was held in 20 sessions in the grand courtroom. A delighted Judge Kelley Streib presided.
“I feel so blessed that I get to be a little part of helping these families come together,” Streib said. “They do the work. I just make it official.”
Families coming to have their children's' adoptions finalized after months of leg work and red tape were treated to refreshments, a balloon artist, airbrush artist, interaction with a pair of therapy dogs and special photographs.
Those engaging in private adoptions received a personalized picture frame from the county inscribed with “Forever Family” and the date, while adoptions facilitated by the county Children & Youth Services received a personalized bag, blanket and Christmas ornament.
Nicole Burdett, a CYS caseworker and the county's Adoption Day coordinator, said county workers from other departments often sneak over to see the children who are being adopted and experience the joyful atmosphere in the courthouse's Keister Commons.
Burdett enjoys seeing the babies babble and the toddlers zoom around the normally hushed and serious building.
“We don't have to tell them 'Shh, court's in session,'” she said. “It's really special.”
Parents Sean and Katie Weber of Evans City became the official parents of 10-month-old Leo, who Streib declared “absolutely adorable.”
The Webers' attorney, James Flinchum, asked both parents a series of questions about their jobs, education, salary, relationship and other facts so Streib could consider the testimony before making her decision on whether to grant the adoption.
“I'm excited and emotional,” Katie said before entering the ornate courtroom. “It's been a long journey.”
After Flinchum questioned both Webers, Streib asked the couple to introduce the 10 friends and family who sat dabbing their eyes in the courtroom's seats.
Katie's mother watched the proceedings from her home in Wisconsin via a video chat application on a smart phone.After welcoming the Webers' guests, Streib noted that as Sean tapped his hand on the table on the courtroom floor, Leo joined in and also began tapping.“So I can tell he's very attached to you,” a smiling Streib said.She said all required documents were in order, and then she offered the nervous couple and Leo a beaming smile.“It is my honor to enter a decree of adoption naming Sean Weber and Katie Weber the parents of Leo John Weber,” Streib said as Katie wept and kissed little Leo.After taking dozens of photographs in the courtroom with Streib and the entire Weber entourage, the couple breathed a sigh of relief that the adoption was complete.“Hearing the judge say we are officially his parents, it makes me cry,” Katie said. “Nothing, no words, can explain how I feel right now.”Charlie Johns, the director of the county CYS, was also on hand to congratulate the Webers and all the parents who adopted children Wednesday.“Adoption Day is one of the times of year where we actually get to see nothing but happiness, and that's rare in what we do,” Johns said. “To provide these kids with a stable forever family is a great accomplishment for the families.”
