By: Amanda Gomez
MCLENNAN COUNTY- More than a dozen children now have brand new families in McLennan County.
November is National Adoption Month and Baylor Law School held Waco's Adoption Day Friday where 14 families were able to finalize their adoptions.
There are 77 children in McLennan County waiting to be adopted, but Friday afternoon 28 of those were welcomed into new families.
Waco's Adoption Day is part of a nationwide effort to draw attention to children who were abused or neglected and are in foster care waiting for a permanent home.
"These children are thinking when is my turn? Why not me? What we want the community to know is why not you? Why can't you step forward and help a child who is in the foster care system," said Zanell Dorsey, Adoption Recruitment Coordinator.
The Johnson family celebrated their eighth adoption Friday afternoon when they welcomed 16-year-old Bradley Johnson into their family.
"We're excited, it's been a long time coming. He's our second foster placement and it's been four years waiting on this so we're excited, the whole family's excited and he's excited," said Phillip Johnson.
There are 5,900 children statewide still waiting to be adopted, and 180 in Central Texas alone.
