Caveat Adoptor

pO157.

Posted to Etcetera on Thu Oct 12, 2006 at 02:18:08 PM EST. RSS.

Helen Briggs, experienced foster mother, would like to do something completely unthinkable. She wants to return her adopted foster child to the state. The problem she claims, is that she was given a child without being properly informed of his past as mandated by Virginia policy.

She claims her adopted son, now 15, had quite a history within the system, being abused sexually and physically by alcoholics starting at age 16 months. She states he may be bipolar, and had been in as many as five other homes, all of which, she claims, was not disclosed to her.

In 2003, the child molested two other children (aged 2 and 6) which caused him to be labeled a "sexual predator." Regrettably, this meant that she would have to give up her other foster children and not allow her biological grandchildren in the house while her adopted child was present.

After this Ms. Briggs surrendered the child back to the state, but is now required to make monthly child support payments to the government. She is now petitioning to have all ties to the child cut, but it is impossible because in Virginia a youth over 14 must consent to being turned over to the state and the child refuses to give his permission.

The state claims they told Ms. Briggs about his history and that she should have known he had problems as the vast majority of their children have "special needs." This means they are one or more of the following:

-6 years or older
-Come as a package with other brothers and sisters
-Are black
-Have physical or emotional handicaps.

Her state Delegate, David B. Albo, chimed in by saying that after he heard about Ms. Briggs' case his initial reaction was "You're a jerk,"  but after looking further believes a special accommodation should be made for her.

Edited by 1fastdog