National Adoption Day
Judge Michael Nash holds Valentina Kuzia. Her mother, fourth-grade teacher Sophia Kuzia, adopted her earlier this year and her biological sister, Isabella Rose, on Friday. (Brian Van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
On National Adoption Day, an L.A. County courthouse is a place where joy takes root as foster children begin new lives.
Sophia Kuzia, right, and her newly adopted daughter, Isabella Rose, are photographed by attorney Sasha Stern at festivities in Monterey Park, where more than 100 children were adopted. (Brian Van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Hector Nichols, 11, right, and his brother, Jeff Carrasco, 9, right, watch as families gather at the Edmund D. Edelman Children’s Court to finalize Hector’s adoption. His brother Jeff was adopted by an East L.A. family. (Brian Van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Jessica Nichols, 15, right, is introduced to Judge Michael Nash by her brother, Hector Nichols, 11, center, as his brother Jeff Carrasco, 9, left, looks on. (Brian Van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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High fives mark the day for Clay Nichols, left, and his son Hector 11, right, as they gather with his wife, Susan Nichols after Hector’s adoption is made official. (Brian Van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Jessica Nichols, 15, left, waits outside a courtroom as her brother, Hector Nichols, 11, center, and his brother, Jeff Carrasco, 9, right, look out a window at the Edmund D. Edelman Children’s Court. (Brian Van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)