International anger over Russian adoption return

After adopting a child from Russia in September of last year, Torry Hansen tried to send the boy back in 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 attempted because of violence

In the Russian adoption return attempt, the family claimed that they were afraid for their safety. When the family sent the boy back to Russia, the note incorporated the paragraph:

“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 Russian boy’s adoptive grandmother has said in several interviews the boy would hit, kick, spit, bite and would draw pictures of the house on fire, threatening to burn down the home he lived in and kill the entire family. A social worker did visit the home in January, though the boy’s adoptive family reported no issues at that time.

International uproar over Russian adoption return

This attempted “Russian adoption return” has sparked anger in both countries and around the world. Instantly, Russia suspended the license of The World Association for Kids and Parents, the agency that handled the failed adoption. Russia is also threatening to suspend all American adoptions of Russian kids until a new treaty is worked out between the two countries. 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 the reporting on the Russian adoption return

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

It is difficult to place Russian adoptions

With over 740,000 orphans in Russia, adoption is very difficult. Very few parents in Russia are willing to adopt, so agencies search for foreign parents. Many adoptive parents end up with funding from a personal loan business because the process is so expensive. Russian officials are wary of U.S.-Russian adoptions, however, as there have just lately been a spate of Russian adoption returns and failures.

Sources

Associated Press

ABC News