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Several Russian Children Murder Cases Have Been by an Adoptive Parent

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Russian Children Murder Cases Continued from Page 1.

Since 1996, 15 Russian children have died at the hand of their U.S. adoptive parents. Here are some quick facts on these chilling cases.

December 18, 2003 - Alex Pavlis:

age 6, of Illinois, was beaten to death by his U.S. adopted mother, Irma, 6 weeks after his adoption from Russia. He was found to have 32 bruises, scars, and cuts. Irma had a difficult time with Alex. He banged his head on the walls, floors, and defecated and urinated on himself. Reports indicate that his injuries could have been self-inflicted. Irma was charged with involuntary manslaughter.

January 22, 2005 - Dennis Merryman:

age 8, born Dennis Uritsky, of Harford County, Maryland died after suffering cardiac arrest brought on by starvation. He weighed 37 pounds. Both parents, Samuel and Donna Merryman, were arrested and charged with manslaughter and first degree child abuse resulting in death and reckless endangerment. He was adopted almost 5 years ago.

July 2, 2005 - Nina Hilt:

age 2, of Wake Forest, North Carolina died after suffering several blows to her abdomen. Her adoptive mother, Peggy Hilt, In March 2006, Hilt plead guilty to second degree murder to avoid a charge of first degree murder. She said that she was frustrated due to the lack of bonding between Nina and herself. Hilt's lawyer said that she was an alcoholic and suffered from mental problems. May 25, 2006, Peggy Hilt was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the murder of her daughter. Nina was adopted in 2003. Take a moment to remember Nina.

August 14, 2005 - Issac Jonathan Dystra:

age 21 months, of Iowa City, died from what was reported as injuries from an accidental fall. Issac was recovering from club foot surgery and according to adoptive father, had a fall when the cast was removed.

Isaac had massive brain swelling, severe bleeding inside the skull, and retinal swelling in both eyes. He also had severe bruising on his torso and legs. This is more descriptive of shaken baby syndrome, not a fall.

Adoptive father, Brian Dykstra was charged with 2nd degree murder. He is currently free on $15,000 bond after pleading not guilty. Adoptive mom was not implicated.

Issac was home for only 3 months.

March 7, 2008 - Nikolai Emelyantsev:

age 14 months, of Utah died from a skull fracture, the result of what is believed to be blunt force trauma to the head. The infant also suffered from a bruised face, head, knee and anus. Adoptive mom, Kimberly Emelyantsev, was charged with one count of first-degree murder. A felony charge of child abuse was filed a day later. Adoptive dad, Fyodor Emelyantsev, was also charged with one count of felony child abuse in the case of the 4-year-old child, another Russian adoptee. For more details see the blog.

July 8, 2008 - Chase Harrison:

age 21 months, of Virgina died of heat-stroke after adoptive father, Miles Harrison forgot the child in the back of the family Suburban. It was not the father's usual routine to transport the child to daycare. He forgot the child in the back of the vehicle for 9 hours, while he went to work. The court did not find the adoptive father guilty, stating that the father had already suffered enough. The baby was born Dmitry Yakovlev in Russia's Pskov Region's children house. He was adopted by Miles and Carol Harrison three months prior to his death.

August 25, 2009 - Nathaniel Craver:

age 7 years, died of brain injuries. Nanette and Michael Craver of Pennsylvania were charged with first-degree murder for the beating death of their adopted son. Ivan Skorobogatov, renamed Nathaniel Craver was adopted in 2003, from Russia along with his twin sister. The Cravers insist that the child was self injurious. Preliminary hearings are set for March 31, 2010.

Russian Children Murder Cases Continued from Page 1.

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