Agency Sued for Placing Child in Abusive Home

The Anchorage Press recently reported on an adopted child, who is suing the Alaska Office of Child Services and the Anchorage Police Department, for the being placed in a home run by accused, abusive single mother- Anya James.

photograsaur/Flickr.com

Six children were removed from James’ home in October 2010, after kidnapping and assault charges were filed. The children were denied nourishment, and use of the bathroom, and the accuser (one of six children placed in the home) ran away several times, only to be returned.

The suit seeks more than$100,000.

As an adoptee, placed in an abusive home, this suit is certainly an eye-opener. I informed the police about the abuse in our home, yet no one ever questioned my placement. Background checks are needed, but frequent ‘forward’ checks are crucial to the safety of adopted and foster children.

Three years after my placement, my adopted brother was placed (by the same agency) with the same family. A simple check of ambulance and police records would have uncovered my adoptive mother’s medical treatment, and  the reports of domestic abuse. She never pressed charges for fear of retaliation, however abuse was clearly present.

I wonder what the statute of limitations is for suing those tasked with acting in the best interest of the child?

You can read the details of the case at The Anchorage Press.

States Where Adoptees Can Access Birth Certificates

Below is an alphabetical list of the states that offer some type of access to birth records, along with URLs (addresses) for the required forms.  Keep in mind, that the laws change. All links are up to date as of this posting.

  • Alaska: Records open to adult adoptees age 18 or older. Bureau of Vital Statistics, Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, PO Box 110675, Juneau, AK 99811-0675
  • Colorado: Records are open for adoptions finalized between July 1, 1951 and June 30, 1976 or after 1999, unless the birthparent has filed a disclosure veto. Additional information and application is here- http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/certs/adoption.html
  • Indiana: Records open for adult adoptees over the age of 21 for adoptions completed prior to January 1, 1994. Identifying information is released only of both the adoptee and the birth parent (named on birth certificate) file a written consent with the registry. Records prior to 1940 are released without court order or mutual consent. Consent form available here: http://www.in.gov/isdh/20371.htm
  • Illinois: People  born on or after Jan. 1, 1946 may obtain their non-certified birth certificate. Adopted or surrendered adults can request a non-certified copy of their original Illinois birth certificate. Only people who are at least 21 can receive a non-certified copy of their original birth certificate.
    http://www.idph.state.il.us/vitalrecords/vital/adoptbroch.htm
  •  Kansas: records are open for adult adoptees over the age of 18. Records must be requested through the Clerk of the District Court’s office in the county where the adoption took place. Information on birth certificate requests can be found here: http://www.kdheks.gov/vital/adoption_before_adoption.html
  • Montana: Adoptees whose adoption took place on or before 7-1-1967 can obtain a copy of the original birth certificate. Adoptions finalized between 7-1-1967 and 9-30-1997 require a court order. Adoptions finalized on or after 10-1-1997, can obtain a copy of the original birth as long as they are 18 and the birth parent has not requested non-disclosure. Request forms are here: https://dphhs.mt.gov/certificates/ordercertificates.shtml

For some adoptees in these states, information gathering starts with a great leap forward!  If you have additional questions on how to request your records, call the Bureau of Vital Statistics for the state where you were born/adopted.

Ask them what the procedure is for requesting your original birth certificate and any other information held in your adoption file. If they are clueless, and you know the agency that placed you for adoption, call them and ask for more information.

Welcome adoptees, birth parents, and anyone in search.

My name is V.L. Brunskill. I am an adoptee,  search angel, and a writer. I live near beautiful Savannah, Georgia, and have known my truth since 1991. After a seven year search, I found my birthmother, and after another five years,  my birthfather.

I moved south to be closer to my birth family. However, I only retain a relationship with my birth mother. I moved my adoptive mother with me to Georgia.

The decision to search for one’s birth family is wrought with emotion, and the search  is a twisting road of mystery, disappointment, elation and wonder.

Finding is a rebirth, and I have found that most of adoptees spend a myriad of time dreaming of reunion, but very little time preparing for the truth. I have helped many adoptees, by sharing the way my search unfolded (in the days before the wonderful Web), and I hope  to help many more.

This blog will share reunion stories from the news, my experiences, offer advice and help for those searching, and hopefully shed new light on being a member of the adoption triangle. The triangle includes adoptees, birth parents, and adoptee parents.

I will also share books, sites, and other resources as I discover them, in hopes that it will ease your path to wholeness.

I recently completed a novel titled Waving Backwards and will share the path to publication with you as well.

Welcome and happy reading!

V.L.