a 7 year old Russian boy, sent back alone by his adoptive US mother!

I think there is more to this story then what was in the article. Weather that be this woman was completely unprepared for an adjustment period or her expectations were just out there. The statement of the boy that the 'grandmother shouted at him' bugs me too. I think this woman is dispicable. I know there are children that are adopted from other countries and it doesn't work out; however, to send this poor child alone on a plane and then type a note? A NOTE? Idon't know who this woman thinks she is that a NOTE would cure everything. To send a child on a plane, not telling anyone or informing the appropriate agencies is just complete disgusting. Personally, I hope she get some reprocousions for her actions. Completely unacceptable!!

I'd keep the child and deal with his behavioral problems...

This woman is really cruel and heartless. This is a serious and sad endings that can happen to any adopted children. She should be banned from adopting children in future. She has jeopardized the future of a young boy by abruptly returning the boy to his country of origin as if he is a commodity that can be taken and returned when no longer in use. I hope she can understand the trauma this boy experienced when he is suddenly detached from her, the only mother that he knows and the living condition he is so used to. He is now left in the hands of strangers who will take over his guardianship which might confuse him more. I think the law for adopting children should be applied to safeguard adopted children to those who fail in their responsibilities as adoptive parents. It is only fair that adoptive parents do not abuse their responsibilities once they adopt children. These children did not asked to be adopted in the first place but since they were chosen by some childless couples to fill the void in their life, they should see that they are being treated humanly and not being discarded like unwanted goods when ever they wish. I am a proud mother of two adopted daughters and I don't understand why this lady adopt only to change her mind in the end.

Obviously the girl wasn't ready to become a mother. She should have either done a little more research, as many know that a lot of kids up for adoption have been from troubled homes, abuse, etc. Or she should have made sure that it was what she wanted to do. It's not like it was a table she could just return. The way she handled it was cowardly, at the least. It's hard enough raising kids that age when they are your own. I think she needs to figure out what she really wants and if in fact she really wants to 'parent' a child.

OMG! I would have thought that great discussion would have been had between her and the adoption agency and that a representative would have been appointed to either escort him or meet him at the other end. I have heard of people arranging to send their 'unescorted' children on flights before and the airline is aware ahead of time and they 'babysit' for the flight. I would imagine it would be a slight charge for this, but at least he would be attended to more than just an adult passenger. I was pretty resourceful and independant at that age, so I know I would have been fine travelling alone, with the stewardess watching out for me. It is not as if he was completely alone. But admittedly, 7 is pretty young and not all at that age ARE able to deal with it alright. The child would have had to be assessed to be sure, by some authority. But what concerns me, is did she not discuss this with the proper authorities first. If she felt that the child had behavioural problems, shouldn't she have consulted some counsellors in her own country to document such? This sounds very fishy to me and it seems that she did transport him illegally, by what the paper says. There should have been some sort of escort for him. He will be severely traumatized by this, as well, I am sure. A rejection like that will break his little heart. It certainly seems like a cruel thing to do. She sort of 'took the law into her own hands' instead of consulting the proper authorities and trying to work something out. I mean, if he was her biological child where would she have sent him back to? Don't you work with problems that your children have because you love them?

Yah know I don't think if they agency lied of not that thats a good enough excuse. Evidently she didn't adopt him out of love. I feel bad for the kid but he's better off not having her for his parent.

I think she should be charged for child abuse. First, when child is changing the environment, it is very traumatic. Second, what language hid she spoke with him? Maybe he was frustrating for having communication problem. Her note is not acceptable for me. They have good doctors in Russia and she should have an evaluation done in Russia before an adoption.

I do NOT approve of this behavior. Before adopting a child, you should have an idea of what to do. For crying out loud, the child was removed from his mothers care at 6 years old! He would remember, of course the kid has issues. 6 year old very rarely are placed in adoption because they are well adjusted. I would have gotten him some help. The biggest thing this poor kid needs is unconditional love. That is the only thing that will help him now. To send a child on a 10 hour flight alone..... total negligence. I wont send my 16 year old alone! I would hope that this woman is NEVER allowed to adopt again. Not even a dog.

ronaldinu, As I read the whole account, I am just dumbfounded as to how this idiotic mother by the name of Torry-Ann Hansen, could actually be qualified to be an adoptive parent when she is found to be a single parent with a natural son. Is there some fault in the current assessment system? I hate to say that I just have to believe that there must be a "big hole" there. I mean it is just blatant that she does not need to adopt when she already has a natural son. I feel that someone is really sleeping on the job and that this woman needs to have the book thrown at her!

What a horrible, heartless thing to do to that poor child!! The woman obviously didn't want to adopt a child, she wanted a perfect little adult. I hope she's haunted by what she did and I hope the boy finds a good and loving home. Of course he has behavioral problems--DUH!!! Orphanage/no parents/no loving care! What was that stupid, selfish woman thinking?! Many of the children adopted from other countries do have issues because of the way they have been treated and housed. Nearly any child that someone adopts will have problems if they are more than a few days old.

No I certainly do not as thats inhumane and so cruel.If she did not want the child she should have been in contact with authorites to find out what she could do legally and morally . I know I woujld not do what she did if I were in her shoes. I would still want to be good to the child even if I felt I could not care for him.I would contain various agencies unti I found the one that would help me to take the child back to Russia and face the people who started the whole thing. Or again were I that mother I might very well decide I could take care of that child myself.

you know that is so sad. we have family memebers who adoted a set of twins and the boy had health issues. but they didnt send them back instead they dealt with it

Well, first of all, I can't believe this woman who is a trained nurse would react in such a manner. This sounds like throwing the baby out with the bath water. I'm sure this kid must have been abused or something and is having trouble adjusting to a new country, a new home, a new mother. I can't think of anything a 7yr old child could do that could be so horrible wrong that they couldn't get some sort of help or counseling, especially since this woman has ties to the medical community. This is not a cat or "pet" we are talking about that you leave in a basket with a note tied on it because you are allergic, or can't afford to feed it anymore.

i think it was a very heartless act. if i was her, i would at least accompany the boy until he arrives safely there. it's just like she doesn't care about him just because he has a slight behavioural problem. i don't think this is the kind of woman that will be a good mother.

No I do not agree with her, that is so awful I mean what does she expect, the Child needs to learn to trust, realise he is loved and cared for which I do not believe this Mother did I mean what is this world coming to, it is awful to just disregard a Child like that, who needs security not more insecurity in his Life What would she have felt if anything would have happened to the Child? I hope she can never adopt again as she does not deserve Children I mean if she had given Birth to this Child and it had Problems, would she send it back then? This is so terrible and unless People are totally committed they should not even consider having Children adopted or their own I really hope this poor Boy will find a good loving home and I hope the Mother can live with herself for what she has done

NO matter what, once adopted, means it's their child.. And with all the necessary paperworks done, she cant deny that she's already the mom of that child! It's not fair for the boy, and he will feel that he's like a ball, being kicked everywhere, except for home I do feel sorry for the boy, but definitely not the mother!! for it's her responsibility to care and teach the boy on how to behave!!

It is a situation that I find difficult to comment on. When if first heard about this at first I was disgusted with the woman and decided she was a heartless witch but upon reflection I decided that, perhaps this boy has serious issues which she was not prepared for. Having said that, had she had her own biological child who is to say that he or she may not have had difficult problems? As a parent you cannot return your children if they come out different to your expectations and you love them and deal with them accordingly and with as much love as you can muster. When this lady made the decision to adopt and signed on the dotted line she became a parent and no matter how children arrive they cannot be ‘returned’. I don’t know all the circumstances and perhaps I am not qualified to have an opinion here but to reject and send the poor kid back to Russia alone at the age of seven is cruel...If she felt the child had to go back she should have taken the responsibility to accompany him on the flight although I don't think it would have been enough to make her decision the right one...

I really wish i can get my hands on her. The meanness of this whole affair and the trauma that poor child has to go threw.I just want to get hold of her.

wow, i cant believe this...

In first place, i think that the US adoptive mother behaviour was not the best attitude to have, the mother should try to get in contact with the adoptive agency, in this case the Russian authorities and try to get a kind of answer to the problems that she descrived in the letter that she send with the child, because we are not perfect, adopted or not adopted, sometimes we have problems, sometimes we need to stop and think.