San Joaquin County families rejoice at ‘Adoption Saturday’

STOCKTON — Ralph and Lisa Butler knew they were adopting two of their grandchildren the minute they were placed in foster care.

It was about 3:45 p.m. on April 3, 2012, when the Stockton couple made the decision.

“I’ll never forget it,” 51-yearold Ralph Butler said.

On Saturday, Ralph and Lisa were one of the 18 families at the San Joaquin County Courthouse during the annual “Adoption Saturday” event, a nationwide day where courts open their doors to families waiting to have their adoptions finalized.

The San Joaquin Superior Court and Human Services Agency hosted the event at the Stockton Family Law Courthouse at 540 E. Main Street and placed 35 children with their “forever families.”

Nearly 60,000 children have been adopted across the U.S. on National Adoption Day since the event’s inception in 2000, according to National Adoption Day Coalition.

The Butlers adopted Shamarie, 8, Princess, 5, and 2year-old Zion, who they’ve been caring for since he was two days old.

Lisa Butler said she didn’t want her grandchildren to end up in the foster care system.

“They need to be raised together,” she said.

Ralph Butler added: “We’d do it all over again if needed to make sure the family stays together.”

In San Joaquin County, approximately 1,400 children are growing up in the foster care system.

Adoption Saturday is one of the few happy occasions in the court, said San Joaquin County Superior Court Judge Barbara Kronlund, who has participated in the event for 12 years. It’s also a day to bring awareness about the many more children who need to be adopted.

“This is one of my favorite days of the whole year,” she said.

Everyone is happy and the love is visible, Kronlund said as she waited for the next family to enter the chamber. It’s also inspiring to see the parents.

One woman in particular caught Kronlund’s attention Saturday.

Victoria Monges, 57, was there to adopt her 18-monthold grandson Alan Guerrero, who she’s been caring for since he was six months old.

The women, who were not aware the other would be there on Saturday, have children attending the same school.

Kronlund said she met Alan when he was a baby sitting on her kitchen counter. It’s fun to have that connection, she added.

In a room full of family and friends, Monges held Alan, who wore a fire engine red sweater vest and plaid button up shirt, as the adoption was finalized.

Monges beamed and the room erupted in applause and cheers as Kronlund announced, “It’s official. He’s your baby.”