News Item
Juvenile Court Finalizes Adoptions of Special Needs Children

Posted: Friday, November 18, 2011

WHAT: Fourth Judicial District judges will unite children with their new families as the judges preside over adoption finalization hearings.  The 15th annual event celebrates National Adoption Month.

Juvenile Court Judge Tamara Garcia commented, “A family is not a static thing.  It is dynamic and ever changing.  When a child is added, he or she has a tremendous impact on the life of each family member.  In an instant, boys become brothers and girls become sisters.  Women and men go from being known as Sue and Bob, to being known as Mom and Dad; and quickly go from playing man to man defense, to zone defense depending upon the number of sons and daughters they are lucky enough to have.  The addition of a child through adoption, like the addition of a spouse through marriage, creates a brand new family and the old family is forever changed. 

Speaking on behalf of the entire bench, the judges here in Hennepin County love presiding over adoption proceedings.  Every one of us feels it is an honor and a privilege to witness and celebrate the birth of a new family and that is, of course, why we are all here today.  Adoption day is everyone’s favorite day in juvenile court.  Today, we celebrate, and wish a very Happy Birthday to all of our brand new families.”

WHEN: Saturday, November 19, 2011

9 a.m.-10 a.m. – Adoptions will occur approximately every 15 minutes.

10:15 a.m. – Program begins.

Carly Cantu, Human Services and Public Health Department Area Targeted Adoption Recruiter

Honorable Tamara Garcia, Fourth Judicial District Juvenile Court Judge

Deborah Huskins, Human Services and Public Health Department Area Director

Presentation of Certificates

WHERE: Hennepin County Juvenile Court, 590 Park Avenue, 2nd and 3rd floors, Minneapolis, MN  55415 (Use skyway entrance from HCMC parking ramp)

WHO: Nine families will adopt up to 13 children from Hennepin County’s Adoption Program.  Fourth Judicial District Court Judges Tamara G. Garcia and Frank Magill will preside over the adoption finalization hearings.

Children in Hennepin County’s adoption program have been abused and/or neglected and may have special emotional, behavioral or physical needs.  Adoptive families provide the love, structure and support children need to grow into healthy, productive adults.  Like all children, those under state guardianship need parents who are willing to commit to them for life, willing to seek the community resources and expertise children need, and willing to take on the challenges of parenting.

NOTE:  Media are welcome to attend.  Some families welcome media in the courtroom and are available for interviews following the hearing.

About the Fourth Judicial District

The State of Minnesota’s Fourth Judicial District serves only Hennepin County and is the state’s largest trial court with more than 750,000 cases received annually.  The mission of the Fourth Judicial District is to provide a system of justice that assures equal access for the fair and timely resolution of cases and controversies.  For more information, visit the Web site at www.mncourts.gov/district/4/.