Three Northern Michigan families have a little extra for which to be thankful this Thanksgiving after they finalized adoptions in probate court Tuesday.
As part of his courts observance of the seventh annual Michigan Adoption Day, 7th Probate Court Judge Frederick Mulhauser finalized four adoptions — for three children and one adult — in his Emmet County court room Tuesday.
The four adoptions were part of a state-wide event designed to help bring awareness of the need for adoptive families. The event is sponsored by the Michigan Supreme Court, the Michigan Department of Human Services and the child welfare division of the State Court Administrators Office.
In all, about 225 adoptions were expected to take place across the state as part of Michigan Adoption Day activities.
Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Marilyn Kelly said that Michigan Adoption Day provides a valuable window into the adoption process. As a rule, adoption finalization hearings are private, but through the kindness of the participating families, courts are opening their adoption hearings to the public, Kelly said. As a result, the public will get a look at the final stage of the adoption process, and witness the great joy of these families. We hope the experience may inspire others to consider adoption.
State officials said there are about 3,826 children in Michigans foster care system with the goal of adoption.
In 2008, Mulhauser oversaw 20 adoptions in the two counties he oversees, 12 in Emmet County and seven in Charlevoix County.
Mulhauser said by far the most common type of adoption is a result of instances where parents have either relinquished or have had their parental rights terminated.
That was the case for three of the four adoptions Tuesday.
In one of the cases, Heidi and Nick Thornton of Brutus adopted Edward, 3, an extended family member for whom they have been a guardian for some time.
In a second case, Jill and Brad Seppala, of Negaunee adopted siblings Caleb, 6, and Chloe, 4, who are children of a relative for whom they have been guardians for some time.
Finally, the adult adoption involved Andy and Denise Growbaski, of Pellston who adopted 18-year-old Patty Burton who has been under their care for about seven years.
Mulhauser said the happiness of adoptions in general, and Adoption Day in particular is a welcome change of pace from the unpleasant matters over which he usually presides.
He compared the event to a hospitals maternity ward.
Pretty much a hospital is a sad place, because everybodys sick ... but generally the maternity ward is a pleasant, uplifting place. And thats kind of like it is here, Mulhauser said. We have our emergency cases, we have critical care-type cases, long-term care cases and this (adoptions) is our maternity ward.
Anyone interested in adopting a child may call toll-free (888) 200-4005 or visit www.adoptuskids.org.
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