Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Russian adoption return: U.S.-Russian adoption goes wrong

In September of last year, American Torry Hansen adopted a 7-year old boy from Russia; at the end of last week she tried to make a Russian adoption return. The boy’s adoptive grandmother put him on a plane with a one-way ticket, pinning a note to his clothing. The adoptive family paid a Russian man $ 200 in a cash now, asking him to take the boy from the airport to the Russian Education ministry.

Russian adoption return prompted by violent outbursts

The family that attempted to make a Russian adoption return by simply sending the boy back to Russia claimed that they were frightened for their safety. The note that was included when the boy was sent for his Russian adoption return incorporated the line:

“This child is mentally unstable. He is violent and has severe psychopathic issues, I was lied to and misled by the Russian Orphanage workers and director regarding his mental stability and other issues. After giving my best to this child, I am sorry to say that for the safety of my family, friends, and myself, I no longer wish to parent this child.”

The boy’s adoptive family has said that he would threaten to kill everyone in the home. When a social worker visited the home in January, they did not report any issues.

International uproar over Russian adoption return

The Russian adoption return has caused anger around the world. Immediately, Russia suspended the license of The World Association for Children and Parents, the agency that handled the failed adoption. Russia is threatening to suspend adoptions until a new legal framework can be solidified. Currently, there is no legal framework in place between the two countries to prosecute the family that tried to make the Russian adoption return. Both the U.S. State department and agencies in Tennessee are looking into prosecution for child abandonment.

Watch reports on the Russian adoption return

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQr6-7ymZ5E

It is difficult to place Russian adoptions

According to UNICEF, there are more than 740,000 children in Russia that have no parental custody and Russian adoption is very difficult. Foreign parents are encouraged to adopt Russian kids, because so few parents within Russia are willing to adopt. Adopting a child from any country is very costly, and many adoptive parents end up asking a personal loan business for help during the process. Because of the Russian adoption return and other adoption failures, Russian officials have looked at U.S. adoptions with skepticism.

Sources

Associated Press

ABC News



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