11 Children Find New Homes on National Adoption Day

Judge Laura Kiessling's courtroom in Annapolis burst into applause each time she finalized an adoption.

Ten-year-old Paige wished to be adopted when she pulled on the wishbone from her Thanksgiving turkey this November. On Thursday—less than a month later—she and her 6-year-old brother Camden officially became part of the Jones' family. "They are our Christmas gift," Tamara Jones said. The Jones, along with eight others, expanded their families as part of the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court's sixth annual National Adoption Day ceremony. In total, 11 children found permanent homes. The day is part of a national effort that's helped nearly 40,000 children move from foster care into permanent homes since 2000. For first time mom Connie Mazur, the day couldn't come soon enough. She beamed as Judge Laura Kiessling signed the documents making 9-…

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