NORWICH – The Chenango County Courthouse was filled with the sound of children’s laughter last Friday, as parents chased their newly-adopted children up the aisle of the usually somber court.

Judge W. Howard Sullivan presided over the courtroom filled with foster parents, Social Services workers and children.

The judge finalized the last of the legal paperwork during the proceedings with the children, ages 5 to 16, telling why this was a special day for them. There were no banging gavels, just bailiffs handing out helium balloons to the younger children and the judge presenting small gifts to the older ones.

“I try to set the adoptions up early in the morning to keep it a good day, even when I go back into family court and see the darker side of things. It’s great to be a part of bringing a family together,” said Sullivan.