After several different foster homes and 1,801 days in foster care, Charlotte “Charlie” Dixon was finally adopted on National Adoption Day, Saturday, November 19, by Maggie Swartz’s. Charlie awoke to a sign Swartz was holding, which read, “Happy Adoption Day!” Attorney Karen Nelson, a partner at the Burnett Legal Group, and Attorney William Hale, an associate at the firm, completed all the legal work required to make this beautiful, Omaha courtroom adoption possible.
During the final adoption process in the courtroom, Swartz was overcome with emotions, tears running down her face, as she looked to the courtroom rows where her fiancé, two biological children, and two step-children sat. She explained, “I didn’t expect to get so emotional […] But walking into that courtroom brought back all the memories of when my dad adopted me.” She continued, “I’ve always wanted to adopt. This is a dream come true.”
Charlie, too, was and is ecstatic about her new family. She said to interviewers, “I’m so happy. I don’t have to move around. No more foster homes. I have my forever family. And I can tackle my mom all I want now.”
To celebrate, Charlie, along with the other children who were adopted that day, were gifted an “adopted” bear, a button declaring the day of their adoption, and a rose. In addition, the children were invited to watch a magician, take photographs with Star Wars characters, get their faces painted, make puppets, and watch a balloon artist.
Our legal team could not be more pleased with the results we were able to achieve on behalf of Swartz, Charlie, and the entire family. We hope that through our continued efforts, we can continue to unite families.
To learn more, read the recent article here.