PITTSBURGH — More than 40 children across Allegheny County joined their new family on Saturday.

Children ranging from 11 months to 16 years old finalized their adoptions in children’s court, said Allegheny County in a statement to the media. The adoptions were finalized through the Department of Human Services’ Office of Children, Youth and Families.

“Today permanent families were created for children where they can feel loved, safe and supported,” said DHS Director Marc Cherna. “While DHS always strives to support birth families, as a last resort a child may need to be removed when their safety and well-being are at risk. We are thankful to the families in our community who answer the call to adopt children when reunification is not an option.”

Prior to National Adoption Day, children’s court in Allegheny County finalized 173 adoptions in 2018.

A celebration was held a the Family Law Center where families were entertained by balloon artists, caricaturists and Disney’s Princess Elsa and Princess Ariel. Light refreshments were provided by Eadie’s Kitchen and Market and Eat’n Park.

“National Adoption Day reminds me of something Pittsburgh’s favorite neighbor Fred Rogers said: ‘Some of my richest experiences have come out of the most painful times.’ Judges witness so much pain, but today we celebrate the transformation of this pain into beautiful new families,” said Judge Kim Eaton, administrative judge for the 5th Judicial District of Pennsylvania, Family Division.

Anyone interested in learning more about the adoption process can visit the Allegheny County Depart of Human Services website.