100s of children adopted in Valley event

PHOENIX - It's National Adoption Day across the United States and in Maricopa County officials were expecting to preside over a record number of adoptions for the fourth year in a row.

Officials with the Superior Court in Maricopa County said 320 children were scheduled to be adopted, breaking last year's nation-wide record of 310 adoptions.

This was the event's 12th year and included activities sponsored by the Phoenix Suns "Operation Orange" campaign. The day included family-friendly events and activities with face painting, games for kids, photos of the newly-created families and cake and ice cream.

According to a court news release, National Adoption Day, "helps raise awareness about the plight of children without families. The children who range in age from newborns to teenagers are victims of neglect, abandonment and abuse."

Nearly 60 judicial officers volunteered to preside over the hearings Saturday.

Maricopa County's event was part of a nationwide effort to raise awareness that more than 120,000 children need permanent families.