(3-year old) Adopted Boy Sent Back to Biological Mom

Associated Press ^ | December 24, 2004, 11:32 AM EST

[TheRatHunter]

Not enough information in this article to really know what the situation is. If the father is a nutjob, this could be a good thing.

[spinestein]

I wonder what Judge Waddell Wallace III is saying to justify this as being in the best interest of this child.

[microgood]

Judges like this have ruined adoption in this country. My sister adopted two girls from China for exactly this reason. She did not want a knock on her door someday.

[vetvetdoug]

It would only be fair for the biological father that wants this child now to reimburse the adopting family all of the money they have spent in this ordeal. Three year old boy? Yes, that sounds about right, let the adopting parents go through all of the trouble of the diapers, training, and sleepless nights then find some Judge to get your kid back to you after its been adopted out to an unsuspecting family.

[alisasny]

http://www.news4jax.com/news/4018908/detail.html

more here with video and pictures..

[CobaltBlue]

The SCOTUS ruled years and years ago that adoptions must have consent of both parents, or else the father has to have his parental rights terminated first.

Why should the mother be able to give away the child without the father's consent?

[Hildy]

I don't think you read the article correctly. The biological father is NOT the adoptive Father. So, basically, they're taking this child away from the only parents he's known and giving him to total strangers. Wow, that sounds like the best interest of the child, doesn't it?

[paul51]

There is enough information to know this isn't in the best interest of the child. The judge is a disgrace

[dandelion]

I agree that the Judges have ruined adoption in this country. I had always wanted to adopt a child, but I will not adopt an American child because I know that one day, even YEARS after the adoption, they might take the child away.

If I ever do adopt, it will be from overseas.

[mlmr]

The bio dad did not sign off custody. It was not a completed adoption. As long as the laws give rights to birthfathers, this stupidity will keep on happening.

[Hildy]

It doesn't matter. If the biological Father had any compassion in his body he would let the situation stand. Maybe when the child was older he could establish some kind of relationship with that child. But why should the child be punished for the mistakes of the adults. It's outrageous. It just makes me want to cry.

[ican'tbelieveit]

Hmm, she found out she was pregnant when dad assaulted her. Now, they are going to take this baby away from his loving, adopted family, and return him to this unstable environment?

How can that ever be a good thing?

[TheRatHunter]

Hopkins and the boy's father, Steven A. White Jr., never married, and she did not learn she was pregnant until she sought medical treatment for injuries suffered when she was assaulted in the residence they once shared, court documents show.

Hopkins supported the Scotts' adoption of Evan until it appeared the court might grant White's request for custody.

This reads to me like the mother supported the foster family adopting the child, but then when his biological father turned up and wanted custody, she decided to fight for him herself to keep the father from gaining full custody. It sounds like she fears for the kid if he goes with his real father. I'm going to hold off on judgement on this one until I know more.

[NJ Neocon]

Over my dead body.

I would flee the country if I had too.

[microgood]

Why should the mother be able to give away the child without the father's consent?

She shouldn't. But punish her, not the child and the adoption process.

[paul51]

Why should the mother be able to give away the child without the father's consent?

She shouldn't but she did. Punish her, not the child. At some point the child's best interest should trump the father's.

[ican'tbelieveit]

Or, there needs to be a statute of limitations. Like 6 weeks.

[TheRatHunter]

The judge is putting the child in his mother's custody, which she sued for obviously to protect the child from a potentially abusive father. The biological parents are separated. Let's not jump to conclusions.

[FoxInSocks]

I don't envy judges for having to make decisions like these. They weigh the evidence and base their rulings on the factors enumerated in the statute.

If you want to see a furious domestic relations judge, tell them you think they don't care about a child.