| Dear Judge Wells, I want to thank you personally for the beautiful way you conducted the adoption hearing for my granddaughter on April 9, 2001. Your ability to maintain judicial decorum in the courtroom and, at the same time, produce an appropriate celebrative mood for the joyous occasion was deeply appreciated by our whole family. Signed a Precinct Chair. |
| Dear Judge Wells, I just want to thank you for what you did last year for me and my family. I thank you for putting a smile on my families [sic] & on my face. So thank you for the gifts that filled my heart with joy. Signed, A Foster Child. |
| Dear Judge Wells, Enclosed please find the photograph of my clients following an adoption recently heard in your Court. Thank you for making these occasions special for all of the adopting families that appear in your Court. Signed, David Cole, Attorney at Law |
| Judge Wells: I had the pleasure of being in your court this morning for the adoption hearing of Tyler. I wanted to tell you how impressed I was with your care for the parents and for Tyler. Your allowing the video taping of this most important event and your allowing the picture taking at the end is a justice Max and Karen and Tyler will enjoy for the rest of their lives. My wife and I adopted a son in 1973 and unfortunately our Judge did not allow us this opportunity so I can speak from experience when I say how important that picture is to a family. I know you know this or you would not allow it in your courtroom. However, I just wanted to take a moment to tell you how really important that is. Thank your for the opportunity to visit your courtroom. It was certainly a pleasure. Signed, A Very Happy Grandfather |
| Dear Judge Wells, Thank you for the opportunity to share my experiences with other parents in similar situations. I regret the most recent past events leading up to March 26th in your courtroom. But, I don’t regret meeting you. I came into your court that day feeling I really did not stand a fair chance, and would be pushed aside. I left feeling a sense of accomplishment and success; if you can admit success under the conditions. Signed, a male litigant |
| Dear Judge Wells, We very much appreciate that photos you had taken and recently sent to us from our adoption finalization on Dec. 30. We love the pictures as a way to remember such a happy day for us (though we feel stupid for not bringing our own camera). Thanks again, Chris, Elizabeth & Charles |
| Dear Judge Wells, In my business, I don’t always receive joyful mail. Today’s was the exception. Besides the pictures, which I will surely forward to my client, and your kind note, I am reminded of the warm, professional manner in which your Court is conducted. My secretary and I both spoke numerous times to Cheryl Lopez regarding the unusual logistics, time-frame, and social study for a young military couple in Alaska just wanting to unite their family in Toto. Cheryl was always available, understanding, knowledgeable, informative, and yes, even helpful by contacting Family Court Services regarding someone in Alaska to do the social study. And Ms. Fultz in Family Court Services made every effort to help also. The day of the adoption hearing, the sitting Judge’s warmth and charm abounded. Betty Lynn Cade did double duty - court report and photographer! Without her, we would have had no record - written or photographed - of the happy event taking place for a young man named David and a step-father far away in Korea. I really want you to know how much I appreciated the effort your staff did for us on behalf of my clients. Thank you. It was such a pleasure to be associated with your Court. Signed David Hatch, attorney. |
| Judge Wells: Our experience with the Judicial System of the State of Texas began almost exactly one year ago today. Based on everything we had heard or read, we expected to find little connection between justice and the judicial process we embarked upon at that time. Even assuming the best, however, we also understood - and agreed - that the state must be reluctant to involuntarily sever the legal relationship of a natural parent and a child. Thus, we began this effort because we knew it was the right thing to do, but with only limited hope that we would succeed in adopting, and thus protecting, the child we so dearly loved from a dismal, neglected childhood and all that would follow for her as a woman. As this year progressed, we have never allowed ourselves to hope too much. We have simply stuck to our task and given it our best. As you can imagine then, this verdict is a wonderful event in our lives. We are very grateful. But we know it is not your job to grant favors, so we will not thank you for your verdict. What we do want to thank you for is the fact that because of the a combination of knowledge of the law, intelligence, compassion for the child who cannot speak for herself, and an obvious determination to do your best; in your court the connection between justice and the judicial process is solid. Our daughter’s life is forever changed - and ours too. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you. Signed, two 1996 litigants. |
| I wish every little child that is going through this had people like you, Carole Orth, Kathy Baczynski, and Judge Wells looking out for them, then maybe the newspaper wouldn’t be so full of bad things happening to them. Excerpt from an e-mail written to a Tarrant County social worker by a grateful grandmother |