Updates on a Few Top Adoption & Foster Care Stories of 2008

Anna Mae He - Who could forget the heartbreaking story of Anna Mae He? Placed with Jerry and Louise Baker at 4 weeks of age, in what her biological parents, Jack and Casey He, thought was a foster care placement, was the center of a 8 year custody battle.

The He's left for China on February 9, 2008, after the Tennessee Supreme Court ruled that Anna needed to be returned. The He's marriage fell apart after being home for less than 5 months. Anna has not seen her biological father for 2 months, and states that she does not miss him. Casey He has custody of all 3 children, Anna, 9 Andy,8 and Avita, 6. She is struggling to make it in her small 2 bedroom apartment, but is grateful for her wealthy brother who owns the apartment. The children also attend a boarding school during the week, paid for by their uncle, and return home on the weekends. Anna states that she does not enjoy living at school. They live in Casey's home town of Chongquing, it is heavily populated with 32 million people, and extremely polluted.

Interviews with Anna seem to paint a picture of a little girl that is struggling to fit in with her limited Chinese, but states that she will not choose between her two sets of parents. Since the end of her parent's marriage she is back in weekly contact with the Bakers who are happy that Casey has custody of the children. They also send care packages to all 3 children. The Bakers are hoping to help them return to the United States for a visit. Casey is considering relocating to the U.S., she realizes that all 3 of her children miss the U.S., but worries about finding employment with her limited English.

SOURCES:
Girl caught in adoption tug-of-war adjusting to new life in China - CNN.com/Asia
Anna He struggling to adjust to new life in China - commercialappeal.com Memphis,Online
Former guardians thankful for contact with Anna - commercialappeal.com Memphis,Online

__________________________

Report on the Children Taken in the April Raid of the Polygamist Ranch - A report from the child welfare officals in Texas summarizes the findings of investigations on all 439 children that were removed last April. It shows that twelve girls were sexually abused at the polygamist group's ranch. Evidence shows that the 12 girls were between the ages of 12 and 15 and were "spiritually" married to adult men and 7 of them had 1 or more children. More than 250 other children were said to have been neglected by their parents as they were not protected from future abuse. Investigations showed that out of the 146 families, 91 families had children who were abused or neglected.

The Yearning For Zion Ranch in Eldorado, TX was ran by the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, a break off sect of the Mormon church. The children were returned to the ranch in June after the Texas Supreme Court ruled that the state had overstepped it's bounds. Since the raid occurred, 200 parents have completed parenting classes and signed agreements to protect their children from abusers. All but 15 cases have been dropped from court oversight and one girl has returned to foster care.

SOURCE:
Texas report: Kids in sect suffered neglect, abuse - The Associated Press

______________________

Baby Talon - A statement was issued by the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe in which it thanked the Larson family, for taking care of “Talon.” The statement continues to say that he is safe and happy in his foster home. The 6-month old is now known as Destino.

SOURCE:
Leech Lake issues statement on baby's adoption - NativeBiz