News Release: 11 Children Adopted at Yavapai Spring Adoption Day Event

Published on May 21, 2024

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NEWS RELEASE

Superior Court in Yavapai County
Contact: Julie Malinowski, Deputy Court Administrator
Phone: 928-771-3168
Email: jmalinowski@courts.az.gov

May 17, 2024

11 Children Adopted at Yavapai Spring Adoption Day Event

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YAVAPAI COUNTY, ARIZONA –

Friday, May 17th was a beautiful sunny day, wonderful weather to celebrate 11 children being adopted into their forever families at the Yavapai County Juvenile Justice Center. This year for Adoption Day, families were greeted by the friendly critters from the My Zoo to You Petting Zoo, along with Batman, Cat in the Hat, YCSO’s Deputy Do-Right, and Dreamer the miniature horse. There were amazing balloon creations provided by Adoption Day staple, Cody Williams with QT Entertainment. Yavapai County Sherriff Officers Deputy Wakefield and Deputy Pelletier and their K-9 partners, Skye and Charli, and Prescott Valley SWAT Team and their armored vehicle interacted with children and families who attended the event. Yavapai County Juvenile Probation Staff kept the hot dogs fresh and ready on the BBQ, and families and friends celebrating their special day were also served cotton candy, freshly made popcorn, and other yummy snacks by CASA volunteers. Photographer Marissa Martian and Juvenile Probation Officer Mary Kay Wilson were both on hand to capture memories for the families both in and outside of the courtroom.

Following the hearings, pictures were taken in the courtroom with Judge Young and Judge Savage and each child was able to select a handmade quilt, lovingly sewn by local quilting group, Mountain Top Quilters. Children were also able to select a cuddly stuffed animal, a new book, and received their own copy of the Dr. Seuss book, Oh the Places You’ll Go!

Judge Anna Young shared, “The Yavapai County Juvenile Court, through the efforts of our court, CASA and Juvenile Probation staff and volunteers, was able to host a fun-filled Adoption Day at the Juvenile Justice Center in Prescott. The families all had a wonderful time and enjoyed all the activities and treats made possible by the generous funding from Yavapai CASA for Kids Foundation. Judge Danalyn Savage and I had a great time helping the ten families who participated in the event with finalizing their adoptions.”

These events would not be possible without help from many people and organizations. Thank you:

• Yavapai CASA for Kids Foundation for providing the funds to create such a fun and festive atmosphere for our children and families
• Mountain Top Quilters Guild for keeping us supplied all year with beautiful quilts to give to our children when they are adopted
• Dreamer the miniature horse and handler Jan
• Laura Hamblin as Cat in the Hat
• Our fabulous CASA volunteers and staff
• The amazing BBQ skills of Yavapai County Juvenile Probation staff
• Yavapai County Facilities Department, for their prep work at the Juvenile Justice Center
• Local First Responders

For more information about fostering and adoption go to: https://dcs.az.gov/fosteradoption/provide-permanency-child-through-adoption

Interested in becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)? Please visit: www.casaofyavapaicounty.org to find out if being a CASA would be a good fit for you.

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To learn more about Arizona’s judicial branch, visit www.azcourts.gov.

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