Freestone County is proud to announce our First Annual Adoption Day. The 77th & 87th District Courts along with local attorneys, court staff, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates, and the Freestone Child Welfare Board, came together to plan this very special event.

Misty Lewis, District Court Coordinator, was instrumental in organizing the event for Freestone County.

Judge Amy Ward presided over the adoptions at the event.

Local child welfare attorney Michelle Latray represented the children to be adopted. Representing parents were attorney Gayle W. Ray of Buffalo and Stephen Carl of Waco. Also attending was Kenneth Best, Regional Attorney for the Department of Family and Protective Services. Ashley Gomez, the Executive Director of CASA of Freestone and Limestone Counties was also in attendance.

Over 50 people attended the Adoption Day and enjoyed refreshments at the absolutely adorable “O-Fish-ally Adopted” themed reception.

Candy sushi, Goldfish and Turtle Crackers, Ocean Water Punch, and more under the sea delights awaited the children and their families.

Each child was presented with a number of small gifts including a National Adoption Day blanket, gift cards, a Sea Animal plush, candy, and more. And each received a commemorative “O-Fish-ally Adopted” certificate.

Freestone held the event a little early due to the holidays and court schedule in November.

Submitted by Michelle J Latray. (Photos by Natalia V. Marsters)

National Adoption Day 2023
In the USA, National Adoption Day is celebrated on November 18, 2023. On National Adoption Day, a number of courts and communities in the United States come together to finalize thousands of adoptions of children from foster care. More than 300 events are held each year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving in November, in all 50 US states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to finalize the adoptions of children in foster care. In total, more than 40,000 children have been adopted from foster care on National Adoption Day. National Adoption Day was started in 2000 by a Coalition of national partners.