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

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. A man got $ 200 in cash now for picking up the boy from the airport and taking him to the Russian Education ministry building.

Russian adoption return attempted because of violence

In the Russian adoption return attempt, the family claimed that they were afraid for their safety. One paragraph on the note they sent to Russia with the boy stated:

“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 adoptive grandmother has said the boy would threaten to kill every person within the home, including drawing pictures of the house on fire. When a social worker visited the home in January, they did not report any issues.

Russian adoption return sparks international uproar

The Russian adoption return has caused anger around the world. The Russian education ministry has suspended the license of The World Association for Children and Parents, the agency that handled Artyom Savelyev’s Russian adoption. Russia is also threatening to suspend all American adoptions of Russian kids until a new treaty is worked out between the two countries. The family that attempted the Russia adoption return can’t at the moment be prosecuted under any U.S. or Russian treaty. However, the U.S. State Department and Tennessee agencies are looking into possible prosecution for child abandonment.

Watch news reports on the Russian adoption return

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

Russian adoption placements difficult

Adoption within Russia is very difficult, with more than 740,000 children with no parents. With so few parents willing to adopt in Russia, Russian adoption agencies typically look to adoptive parents from other countries. Because the process is so costly, many adoptive parents have to apply to a personal loan company for help. 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