Waiting in the wings Sep 11, 2009
Life UneXpected (The CW) - A teenager discovers who her birth parents are and orchestrates a reunion. Will the three become a new family. (Sioux City Journal, IO)
Family's homecoming Sep 6, 2009
All were abandoned or orphaned by their birth parents until, one by one, Rita and Les said, "You belong with us." ... All were abandoned or orphaned by their birth parents. (The Palm Beach Post)
Obits: Willhaus Sep 3, 2009
He was preceded in death by a son and both his birth parents and his adoptive parents. An on-line guestbook may be signed at www. (Marshall County Journal, SD)
Faith-based program breaking the cycle of jail Aug 31, 2009
She has never held down a job, or had a meaningful relationship with anyone -- including both of her birth parents. She has been jailed for crimes influenced by her drug use at least 18 times. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Carma Jean Kuhlman Aug 28, 2009
She was preceded in death by her parents, Otto and Anna (Rogge) Krogman; her birth parents, Clarence and Alta (Bond) Alloway; her husband, LaVern Sept. 8, 1989; three sisters, Mary, Pauline and Dorothy and two brothers, Robert and Jim Alloway. Megrue-Price Funeral Home of Superior, was in charge of the arrangements. (Muscatine Journal, IO)
9 honorees are chosen for Hon Kachina awards Aug 27, 2009
The group provides places where foster children and their birth parents get together for family reunification meetings outside an institutional setting. www. (AZCentral -- News)
One overseas adoptee explains: Parents’ embrace of the ”home” culture can have its costs Aug 23, 2009
Today, I might be able to make small talk with the Chinese owner of my local grocery store, but I can still barely have a one-on-one conversation with my birth parents. I ve come to recognize that I will never know them in a deep, substantial way, and I will never fit perfectly back into the country where I was born. (Boston Globe)
Twin Masters to take the stage Aug 18, 2009
The performance stars church member Scott Galbraith who portrays David Tucker, a private investigator that relies on his Christian faith and sleuthing to locate his adoptive son Mark s birth parents. Tucker eventually discovers Mark, 18, has an identical twin brother named Matt. (Weymouth News, MA)
Locals join in adoption picnic Aug 18, 2009
Founded in 1999, the Broadview Street agency encourages open adoptions where birth and adoptive parents develop long-term trusting relationships, allowing birth parents to remain involved in their child s life and children to have lifelong information access about themselves and their biological families, Cheyney said. The center, which also specializes in adoption services for children and families of color, has been involved with about 120 adoptions and families. (Acton Beacon, MA)
Pros and Cons of Independent Adopti... Aug 16, 2009
In agency adoptions, the baby may have to be placed in foster care for several days while the agency obtains the birth parents consent and prepares the custody paperwork for the adoptive family ... Some prospective adoptive parents are reluctant to meet directly with birth parents out of concern for their privacy. (Suite101.com)
The Real Housewives of Atlanta should watch out for The Real Housewives of Lancaster County Aug 15, 2009
We kept hoping the adoptive parents would adopt the birth parents too. I have never seen such intelligent decisions made by kids who had almost no resources and found themselves in a horrible situation. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Living)
Adoption group tries to foster open relationships Aug 9, 2009
Yesterday, about a hundred adoptive parents, birth parents, and children, including Megan and her family, met for a breezy picnic and barbecue held by the adoption center at Hale Reservation. Together, adoptive and birth families shared stories and news about their children s lives, as they lunched under bright sun and their youngsters swam and built sand castles at a private beach. (Boston Globe)
Woman finds birth father after 20-year search Aug 8, 2009
The search began more than 20 years ago when Mrs. Neal needed to track down her birth parents' medical history when she thought one of her sons might have had leukemia. She found her mother in Bamburg, but the connection didn't happen after attempts. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Telling School About an Adopted Chi... Aug 7, 2009
To maintain the student s right to privacy, adopted kids and their parents do not need to discuss the circumstances of the adoption or the status of birth parents. How to Disclose Information About an Adopted Child. (Suite101.com)
Thomas Heming and Rachel Cessna Fam... Aug 4, 2009
Additionally several family obituaries and Richard George Washington Heming's death certificate name Thomas and Rachel as being birth parents. No mention is made to a first wife in any family documentation or early records. (Suite101.com)
Songwriter Diana Jones follows her true sound Aug 4, 2009
It would take a search for her birth parents - Jones was adopted as an infant - to find that the sound she seemed to be strangely drawn to wasn t so strange at all. After she discovered that her biological family had roots in Appalachian folk music, Jones began moving away from the contemporary coffeehouse folk of her earlier records and closer to the heart of the old mountain songs that her grandfather Robert Lee Maranville, a singer and musician who performed with Chet Atkins when he was a... (Boston Globe)
ExEtiquette: My ex doesn't want to meet my new man Jul 29, 2009
I am moved by stories such as this, where long lost family members are reunited, or when adult adoptees have the opportunity to meet their birth parents. My husband and I adopted our son at birth. (Fresno Bee -- Lifestyle)
'Serial Shooter' Dieteman faces jury during sentencing Jul 28, 2009
Dieteman said he read about Catholicism and studied Jehovah's Witnesses, before turning to Judaism, the religion of his mother's birth parents. "It was like a homecoming," he said. (AZCentral -- News)
Gathering Birth Family Information ... Jul 17, 2009
Suggested Questions Adoptive Parents Might Ask Birth Parents. Working together, adoptive and birth parents can provide answers to key questions an adoptee might eventually ask about her birth family ... Sometimes a wealth of information is supplied by birth parents during the adoptive process, while very little information mostly nonidentifying is shared in other adoptions. (Suite101.com)
Siblings find each other after 53 years Jul 13, 2009
According to several adoption groups, the language of these laws also placed heavy restrictions on birth parents and adoptees who truly wanted to connect with one another against being able to do so. Rick encountered roadblock after roadblock while trying to track down his siblings, mostly because adoption records are sealed in California, as they are in most states in the U.S., and neither adoptees nor birth parents are allowed to access them ... CIs cannot be used for re-connecting adoptees... (Menomonie Dunn County News, WI)
Separated foster siblings get to reconnect Jul 13, 2009
The twins said they have limited contact with their birth parents. "They have their lives and I have mine," James said. (Honolulu Advertiser)
Kurt Fearnley plans to give Australian crawl a new meaning Jul 11, 2009
His biggest challenge: Kurt Fearnley trains for his assault on the Kokoda Track in Merewether, NSW. Im crawling up and down the steepest descents I can find, he says. Self-belief is what powers this Paralympian. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Twin mothers 'need more advice' Jul 6, 2009
" Multiple Births Foundation director Jane Denton agreed there was great inconsistency in provision. She said multiple birth parents needed continued support. "They need specific support to help them cope with the practicalities of having two or more new babies. They need support to establish breast feeding," she said. "Equally important is looking at strategies so the parents do not become completely exhausted through caring. (BBC News -- UK)
Cassie hopes for loving guidance Jul 1, 2009
Through no fault of their own, they cannot be raised by their birth parents. Many will be adopted by a relative or foster parent, but more than 600 have no one to adopt them yet. (Boston Globe)
Acton adoption agency values biological connections Jun 19, 2009
Open adoptions allow the birth parents to remain involved in the child s life to varying degrees, ranging from the occasional letter or e-mail to regular visits ... Open adoption is about allowing birth parents and adoptive parents to get to know and respect each other, said Cheyney, during a recent interview in her South Acton home ... Once matched, the birth parents and adoptive parents also decide on the level of contact the birth parents will have with their children. (Acton Beacon, MA)
Man And Woman Say Priest Is Their Father May 30, 2009
Latty says a search for her birth parents led her to Senna and their parents' story. The suit filed in the Baltimore Circuit Court claims negligence in the hiring and supervision of Ryan, intentional infliction of emotional distress and fiduciary fraud. (W-USA News, DC)
CW's cuts, additions favor young female viewers May 23, 2009
At midseason, the CW has one other scripted offering, "Parental Discretion Advised," about a young girl seeking out her birth parents. Now that all of the networks have presented their new fall schedules to advertisers and the media, the week had its share of, if not surprises, then notable events. (San Francisco Chronicle)
CW Network Banking On Ashton Kutcher And Vampires May 22, 2009
" Two young models -- one male, sexy and brooding, the other female, sexy and brooding -- stick together to help each other navigate a sleazy industry. It will directly follow the 13th edition of "America's Next Top Model," this one for prospective models 5 feet and 6 inches and below -- the "shorties," as host Tyra Banks called them. The CW also ordered a midseason series, "Parental Discretion Advised," about a girl who bounces around foster homes and makes contact with her birth parents. The... (KIRO TV, WA)
BIRTHS: In hard times, more women looking into adoption May 21, 2009
In up to 90% of domestic infant adoptions, Pertman says, adoptive parents maintain some contact with birth parents. "It's considered best practice," he says, because most women want to know what happens to the child and the child wants to know family history. (USA Today -- News)
WCCCD Partners with The Child Care Coordinating Council of Detroit/Wayne County (4C) to Host Tools to Better Navigate Resources for Children in 2009 Workshop May 15, 2009
Birth Parents working for Reunification. The keynote speaker, Margaret Warner, has over 30 years of experience in child welfare and currently serves as the Wayne County Child Welfare Director of the Children's Services Administration for the Michigan Department of Human Services of Wayne County. (PR Newswire)
Sculpting in salmon skin May 10, 2009
Anchorage Daily News. Daylight : 5:26 AM - 10:28 PM. (Anchorage Daily News)
Now She Has Two Loving Moms May 10, 2009
From the time she was a young teen, Wilkes had wondered about her birth parents ... Last summer, Wilkes started looking for her birth parents, and discovered they'd been searching for her ... "Ask them 'How do you feel, as adoptive parents, about your children meeting their birth parents?' Mine say they are happy for me. I don't think they thought it was going to happen. It has been a journey for them as well, even though I am grown.". (The Pilot Newspaper)
Mother's Day first May 10, 2009
Witnessing the efforts of fellow adoptees to track down their birth parents refined D'Augustino's expectations for her own reunion ... She draws inspiration from her successful reunion as she assists fellow adoptees in New York state search for their birth parents. (Auburn Citizen, NY)
The sisters who became mothers May 10, 2009
Of the 160 who shared their home, about a dozen were adopted, while the others went home to their birth parents or stayed to adulthood. The children called both sisters "Mom" and made them presents for Mother's Day. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Adoptive Mother's Custom-Designed Gifts Honor Journey of Adoption Triad May 9, 2009
com are appropriate for anyone touched by and connected with adoption--adoptive families, birth parents, foster families, social workers, agencies and many more ... Founded by an adoptive mother, the site offers a wide range of gifts and keepsakes for adoptive families, birth parents, foster families and others. (Yahoo News -- Press Releases)
Should states hide adoptee birth records? May 3, 2009
My son's birth mother chose open adoption where birth parents decide who will raise their child and often continue contact after the baby is born in part so that his burden would be lighter than hers ... And even if provided by the courts, the certificates would likely have the names of the birth parents blacked out. (Sacramento Bee -- Opinion)
I have a little brother Billy born who would be mid 30's maybe. Born in... Apr 30, 2009
Troy Dunn, who created a business connecting people with those they want to findlike their birth parents or separated siblingsparticipated in the WE tv panel Wednesday at the Television Critics Association summer tour. Also at the session were his mother, Katie, and a young woman and the mother he brought together for one episode of the series, which debuts in September. (Multichannel News)
Irondale man faces kidnapping charge (2382) Apr 28, 2009
The system prefers to leave the kids w/the natural birth parents until it's absolutly impossible. I pray each night for the health & safe keeping of these kids,as well as other kids in the same situtations. (Park Hills Daily Journal, MO)
Teen Q&A: Teens need help with life decisions Apr 12, 2009
When other adults, beside the birth parents, take on a major role in a teen s life, they are not only giving something to that child but to our society as well. I don t know what state you live in so I can t be specific to the drop-out age of your school. (La Crosse Tribune, WI)
West Roxbury and Roslindale community notes Apr 9, 2009
The group also welcomes adopted individuals, birth parents, foster parents and all those with a connection to adoption. The Roslindale group meets at the Roslindale Congregational Church, 25 Cummins Highway, Roslindale, from 7-8:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of every month. (Rsolindale Parkway Transcript, MA)
Kinship Care Programs Receive Boost in State Budget Apr 4, 2009
The children they care for may have experienced trauma, suffered emotional distress from the loss of their birth parents, or have physical or mental disabilities. Kinship caregivers must overcome numerous barriers, including enrolling children in school, getting medical care, accessing family rights, and obtaining necessary benefits. (PR Newswire)
Acton agency shows adoption pros, cons Apr 3, 2009
Karen Cheyney, founder of Bright Futures Adoption Agency in Acton, presented information about the benefits and drawbacks of open adoption an adoption in which the child and birth parents meet one another and share identifying information ... There is always a myth that birth parents pose a threat, but they are a resource, Cheyney said ... Birth parents are a resource, and they like the contact, too. (Acton Beacon, MA)
63 films to be shown Apr 1, 2009
Joey is suddenly caught between the life he has always known and the violent home he's thrust into with his birth parents. When he comes home with bruises, his adoptive parents decide to do whatever it takes to keep their son safe. (Sonoma Index-Tribune, CA)
Big questions remain as boys found dead in apparent murder-suicide Apr 1, 2009
Judge Souk saw through the birth parents and with the reports given him made very good decisions. As someone else posted, a judge is only as good as the information given him. (The Pantagraph newspaper)
Adoption advocates say family trees don't work for all kids Apr 1, 2009
Some adoption advocates say that such projects can suggest to kids that their own family situation is "not normal," or prompt them to ask themselves why their birth parents chose not to raise them, or why they know so little about their own background ... "It's problematic for a lot of kids. For adopted kids, there's the issue of which family do they put on there: the birth family or the adoptive family?" Making this quandary more acute is the large increase in "open" adoptions, wherein adoptive... (Boston Globe)
Paul Ibisch: Promote culture of life Apr 1, 2009
Open adoptions with birth parents having some ongoing role are prevalent in our country. Every life is precious. (Winona Daily News, MN)
The roots of violence Mar 25, 2009
Sadly, as a former foster parent, I have seen far too many cases of children who don't even know their birth parents being returned to the homes of people who are complete strangers to them, after living for years with foster parents. My hope is that all judges and court commissioners across the state will consider this ruling carefully when deliberating with regards to foster care placements and termination of parental rights. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
Terhune always in limbo Mar 19, 2009
Several of Terhune's friends say he had never been violent, although he was "slipping mentally" after a recent series of disappointments: He dropped out of several colleges; had a disillusioning reunification with his birth parents; suffered romantic frustrations; and faced mounting mental health problems. He told friends he struggled to control schizophrenia, migraines, depression and anxiety. (Modesto Bee, CA)
International adoptions get really tough Mar 15, 2009
" Still other agencies have refocused their efforts on placing domestic children, even though the trend toward open adoption -- in which adoptive and birth parents remain in contact -- makes many Americans leery. "Not all families are receptive to domestic adoption because it seems riskier," said Debbie Cohen, local director of Adoptions from the Heart, which has increased its domestic adoptions. "Some people aren't comfortable having ongoing contact with the birth parents, and 99 percent of... (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Al Capone's 'grandson' wants DNA samples Mar 14, 2009
Hundley said his client's quest was like a search for birth parents by an adopted person. Capone's publicist, Jeremy Marin, said Capone never knew his paternal grandparents and that his father, William Knight, told his son conflicting stories about his parentage before his death in 1974. (MSNBC -- Crime)
Capone Family Heritage Not All Black and White Mar 14, 2009
"Similar to an orphan searching for their birth parents, I'm trying to learn my father's ancestry while confirming my own, and I hope they will respect that.". The complaint Knight Capone filed seeks merely to prevent any attempt to move or disturb the remains while Chris completes his quest for voluntary DNA samples from living Capone relatives, which he plans to use in an attempt to definitively establish his genetic link to Al Capone. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Adoption fraud sentence ‘just’ Mar 8, 2009
According to the indictment, parents in Samoa were duped into giving up their children under the premise that the youngsters would receive an American education, return to the country at age 18 and remain in contact with their birth parents ... In a sentencing memorandum submitted to Sam, prosecutors state that none of the birth parents in Samoa wanted the Bankses to go to prison, adding that many of them indicated that they had forgiven the defendants ... Now, if all of the birth parents and... (Logan Herald Journal, UT)
State knew Hawaii suspect was risk to others before stabbing Mar 6, 2009
Fauatea returned to Utah to meet his birth parents after he graduated and lived with his biological mother, who is divorced from his biological father. He returned to O'ahu a few months later because his biological mother could not handle him, the records said. (Honolulu Advertiser)
Couple in adoption case get probation Feb 26, 2009
According to the indictment, parents in Samoa were duped into giving up their children under the premise that the youngsters would receive an American education, return to the country at age 18 and remain in contact with their birth parents. Adoptive parents in the United States reportedly were told they were adopting orphans living in dire conditions or children abandoned by families unable to care for them. (Logan Herald Journal, UT)
Guest commentary: One family: What I learned by returning to my orphanage Feb 24, 2009
While in China, I also found a note from my birth parents who were victims of a flood. I hope to look for them one day. (Cambridge Chronicle, MA)
Teen helps families keep cupboards full Feb 21, 2009
They try and find children who were placed in foster care, then returned to their birth parents. In addition to food, the packages include toys and children s clothing. (Coos Bay-North Bend The World, OR)
Adoptive Families Together Feb 14, 2009
We also welcome adopted individuals, birth parents, foster parents and all those with a connection to adoption. This is an ongoing group that meets once a month. (Billerica Minuteman, MA)
20-year wait to see abducted kids not over Feb 10, 2009
The Baskins have said that they realize that Maple probably taught the children that their birth parents are evil, and that it will take a long time with therapists for them to come to grips with everything theyve learned since Maple was arrested last week. My mother and father said he would kill them before he would ever let us see them, Debbie Baskin told Vieira. (MSNBC -- Crime)
While Parties Negotiate, Thousands of Children in DC Suffer Feb 7, 2009
Children's Law Center also represents many foster, kinship and birth parents involved with the child welfare system. In any future plans or court orders, Children's Law Center urges the parties to focus on ensuring the delivery of effective, high-quality services for children and families. (PR Newswire)