Catholic Charities joins in adoption celebration

On Nov. 17, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge and other adoption services providers joined families at the Capitol Park Museum to celebrate the making of “forever families” at the National Adoption Day program. The East Baton Rouge Parish Juvenile Court hosted the event.

The day began with the finalizing of 10 adoptions, followed by the program.

Juvenile Court Judge Adam Haney congratulated the families, some whom he previously finalized their first adoption.

“I’m grateful for all the families here who allowed me this privilege. I have run the gamut from private adoptions, agency adoptions and intrafamily adoptions.”

He added, “All of the stresses and the trials and the worries all the families went through, and I experienced myself, having ridden those ups and downs of the process makes me grateful for the amazing work that adoptive families do.”

East Baton Rouge Mayor Pro Tem LaMont Cole presented a proclamation from the mayor’s office declaring National Adoption Day in East Baton Rouge.

Juvenile Judge Gail Grover noted there was “a village” of adoption agency representatives, attorneys and others present are part of the legal process.

“But you family and friends, some of you who have traveled far to get here and be a part of today … these babies have already been adopted in the hearts of their parents. Today we just put it onto paper, and we are glad to do that.

“This is serenity, raising these amazing children, children God has blessed and placed with you. I just pray that everything you are feeling today will carry you throughout this journey.”  


Above: Pictured at National Adoption Day are, from left, Lisa Lee, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge Director of Operations; Stephanie Sterling, CCDBR Director of Family Services; and Jason May, East Baton Rouge Juvenile Court staff attorney. Photo provided by Stephanie Sterling

Top Right Photo: East Baton Rouge Juvenile Court Judge Adam Haney congratulates families who adopted a child during the National Adoption Day celebration. Seated, from left, are EBR Juvenile Court Judge Gail Grover, New Orleans adoption attorney David Scotton, Juvenile Court administrator Lynn Maloy, Juvenile Court staff attorney Jason May and former United States Senator Mary Landrieu. Photo by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator

Grover stated adoption is extremely important for the community.

“I can only imagine what we as a people would look like if babies and kids didn’t have homes. Your connection and what you have done today extends beyond the love you poured into these children – it extends to your willingness to make us a better people,"  said Grover.

New Orleans adoption attorney David Scotton shared his own story of being adopted and traveling to Indiana to meet his birth parents, which was featured in the award-winning movie “I Lived on Parker Avenue.”

A graduate of Jesuit High School in New Orleans and LSU, Scotton said, “Why I’m here today started with a story that goes all the way back to 1993, with Melissa and Brian. They were 18 years-old, they weren’t married, they didn’t have any money saved and they were not in the condition to take care of their child.

“They originally decided to give abortion a try, but at the last second they left the clinic and chose to place their child with a loving family in Louisiana.”

Scotton’s adoptive parents, Jimmy and Susan, were always open with their son that he was adopted.

Scotton did not tell people he was adopted because he didn’t want to be asked questions such as “Who’s your real Mom?” or “Who is your real Dad?”

With random thoughts of whom his birth parents were and why they placed him for adoption, Scotton went about his life.

He gave the high school wrestling team a try, which ended a short time later. He then joined a right to life club. Through the club he learned about the doctor who delivered him and how courageous his birth mother was for placing him for adoption.


David Scotton talks about his journey of adoption and meeting his birth parents, which is featured in the film, “I Lived on Parker Avenue.” Photo by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator

A month after he first shared his adoption story, he received a call from the law firm which had facilitated his adoption, and they stated the birth mother wanted an update about his life.  

After Scotton and his parents prayed and talked, they decided, “Let’s get started on this.”

Scotton sent his mother a letter with pictures. At the end of the letter wrote he had a Facebook account, and she could add him as a friend.

The two started communicating on Facebook, which led to their meeting.

During an emotional reunion, Melissa, a “tattooed, four-wheeling country girl,” asked Scotton to go skydiving with her.

“I certainly remember this and I’m never doing it again,” mused Scotton.

He met his birth dad, Brian, on Father’s Day, and they canoed together.

Scotton captured his journey in a short documentary and was shocked when he received a call from actor/evangelist Kirk Cameron, who wanted make his story into a full-length feature film.

Just as exciting for Scotton today is being an adoption attorney.

“As an attorney, I had an opportunity to do my first adoption about a year ago and that was a full circle for me to be able to do that. Adoption means the world to me.”

He told the audience, “I see all of you in the room and I see the future. I see these kids and I see these beautiful families and am inspired and hopeful to see so many of you here today for the same reason I have life.”

Following closing remarks from former U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu and acknowledgements from Juvenile Court staff attorney Jason May, attendees visited and celebrated.

Reflecting on the day, Stephanie Sterling, director of family services for CCDBR said, “It is important to celebrate families formed by adoptions and birth parents who make the brave choice to place their children for adoption. We thank East Baton Rouge Parish Juvenile Court for making this beautiful celebration happen for so many families in our community. Ethical adoption practice must be promoted and advocated for in our state. Most importantly, we know that adoption is not a legal event, but a lifelong journey. At Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, we work every day to help birth families, adoptive families and adopted persons along in this journey."