Maple Grove Family Adopts Child on ‘National Adoption Day’
Alanah Ford is a happy, one-year-old girl who has good reason to be smiling.
Saturday, in a courtroom at the Minneapolis Juvenile Justice Center, C’iana and Samuel Ford of Maple Grove took the steps to change her life forever.
“She’s been our baby for a while, but now that the paperwork is finished, I know that no one can take her from me now,” said C’iana Ford. “And that makes me feel really good.”
The Fords were among 14 families to sign on the dotted line and become adoptive parents to a Hennepin County Child over the weekend on National Adoption Day.
In Alanah’s case, she’s been with the family since birth. The process began with a simple phone call from a child protection worker.
“She gave me her background and asked me, was I willing to take in a baby with a little bit of need?” C’iana said. “And I was willing.”
While this is certainly a success story, Hennepin County officials say it’s not always that easy. Currently, Minnesota has 905 children waiting for adoptive families.
But on Saturday, that wait ended for 22 local children, thanks to some caring parents who were willing to fulfill an important need.
“It makes us feel complete,” C’iana said.
Hennepin County officials say that by the end of the year, more than 200 local children will have their adoptions finalized.
