D.C. families celebrate Adoption Day

The adoptions of three dozen children were finalized in front of hundreds of family members, social workers and lawyers during the annual event.

Jacqueline Bell, 4, introduces herself at the District's 2009 Adoption Day Ceremony. WRC-TV news anchor Barbara Harrison, who features foster children in a weekly segment, introduced the families before a judge who signed paperwork making the adoptions legal.

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David Donald, 4, Tyvasia Donald, 5, and their adoptive mother Patricia Donald go to receive their official adoption certificate during the ceremony at D.C. Superior Court.

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Mary Tyson watches the festivities with her 5-year-old adopted daughter Shawana. The ceremony was one of more than 300 Adoption Day events held Saturday across the United States, including in Maryland and Virginia.

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Mary Tyson, left, plays with Jamal Porter, 5, as Tyson's daughter Shawana looks on. Officials finalized the adoptions of more than 30 children at this year's ceremony.

Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post

Tyree Burrs, 10, is one of a set of triplets to be adopted by their new mother Barbara Burrs at Adoption Day. Tyrese Burrs, left, and Tynethia Burrs, complete the set. Barbara and her husband Larry had already raised five children when a close friend asked them to take in the triplets she had been fostering.

Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post

Deborah Bell watches her newly adopted child, Jacqueline Bell, 4, play at the ceremony.

Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post

Devon Dalton, 15, poses with his new adoptive father, Andrew. Devon was Andrew's student before becoming his son.

Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post

Jamal Porter, 5, gets piggy bank lessons from Lisa Rawlings of the DC Child & Family Services Agency as Jamal's new mother Carolyn Porter sits in the background.

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Cherita Grant watches a clown show with her adopted kids (from left) Michael Anderson, 14; Antonio,12; Conneshia, 13; and Rashanda, 6, at the Adoption Day Ceremony.

Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post

Gallery Credits:
Photo Editor, Producer Sam Funt Text Editor Delece Smith-Barrow

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