[MarMema]

Altshuler said most of the children who died in the United States were adopted via individual brokers, over which Russian authorities have no control, as opposed to foreign adoption agencies that operate with official accreditation and oversight.

And this is the exact issue. With no training on attachment, it is no surprise that these parents are killing their children.

[silverleaf]

The latest murder was committed by a woman who worked with an agency and fulfilled all requirements. "Independent adoption" is legal in Russia if all requirements are met. And "independent" adopters must meet the same stringent police and background checks, and home study requirements, and submit 3 years of post placement reports, as do people working with agencies.

It would be useful if the Russians were transparent about the medical and social background of the children being adopted. Many people are being lied to by omission of facts about the birth parents' alcoholism, drug abuse and mental illness. American adopters are being presented with "healthy" children (accordings to the Russian MOE records). The typical "healthy" orphanage child is malnourished, undersized, has had little or no nurture or stimulation, and is developmentally stunted and delayed...

Nevertheless the Russians (and some US agencies) tell the hopeful parents that TLC will bring these kids back to near normal and hide the medical and social/police reports about what these children have suffered.

US agencies for their part should not be allowing any parent to adopt an EE kid unless the PAP's are prepared emotionally AND TRAINED to parent attachment disordered, sexually molested, RAD/FAS/FAE and other permanent and disabling physically and emotionally affected children. Which can be a real joy for parents with the right temperament and outlook and access to resources for support.