international adoption

I wasn’t going to blog about Haitian orphans again. Really, I wasn’t. I figured I had worn my audience thin on the subject; it was time to move on. My resolve wavered, but held firm even when last Friday’s mail brought Time Magazine and the Wall Street Journal both running stories on the “Haitian orphan crisis”. But after reading both articles I couldn’t get them out of my mind, try as I might. Oh, what the heck, as long as I’m obsessing on this subject, why should I suffer alone.

When the American group was arrested for trying to bring Haitian children over the border into the Dominican Republic last week I literally screamed at my television. Among my shouts were “Are you nuts” and “Think before you act”. Their actions played right into the “international adoption equal child trafficking” argument that I railed against in last week’s blog. Everything about this case is confusing, and the more I learn, the more the actions of this group don’t make sense. What is clear is that their actions were ill informed (read: stupid) and may well have been illegal.

Radio show on Adoption Options for the LGBT Community Wed. Oct. 21 from 12-1 Eastern Time

When the doorbell rings, Cale Fuoco runs to answer at his family home in Northern Seattle. The 7-year-old holds a small wooden board in his arms – a 2x4 with two eyes and a lopsided smile, which have been etched in marker on one side of the board.

“Meet my friend, named Plank” Cale says.

At the dinner table, Plank has a seat and place setting all to himself. After Cale retreats for a little math homework and some secret TV watching, Plank is abandoned at the table to Cale’s dads, Frank Fuoco and Benjamin Liu.

Adoption
When you become an adoptive parent, you will have the same rights and responsibilities as a biological parent.

Advisement
As required by applicable state law, a birthmother is advised about legal and procedural issues prior to relinquishing her parental rights or consenting to an adoption.

Alleged Birthfather
A man identified by the birthmother as a possible birthfather must have his rights terminated before the baby is free for adoption.

Birthparent
The biological parent of a child.