From Deseret News archives:
Utahn says adoption battle is unlikely here
"Utah is a very positive adoption state," said Shelly Eyre, director of social services for the 120-year-old Children's Service Society of Utah.
Once a birth mother signs a relinquishment of her parental rights she has only 24 hours to change her mind, and a birth father's rights are also revoked at that time if he hasn't yet established paternity.
A Florida circuit court judge ruled last month that a Florida couple, Gene and Dawn Scott, had to give up 3 1/2-year-old Evan, whom they had reared from the time he was 2 days old.
Last Saturday, with TV cameras rolling, the tearful Scotts handed the boy over to his biological mother, Amanda Hopkins, and her husband, Michael. Also on hand was the boy's biological father, Stephen White.
The emotional case began nearly four years ago when the childless Scotts met Hopkins, who was pregnant. She agreed to a private adoption, according to court files. Two months later, and a month before the adoption was finalized, White filed a motion demanding custody.
After Evan was whisked away Saturday, to be taken to the Hopkins' home near Chicago, Dawn Scott dropped to the ground and repeatedly screamed, "How can they do this to a little boy?" Later, the Scotts said they would continue their legal fight.
According to Utah law, Eyre says, a birth father's rights to a child are revoked if he has not established paternity prior to the mother signing relinquishment. He establishes paternity by providing financial and emotional support and/or filing for paternity prior to the 24-hour period during which the birth mother can change her mind.
Many people choose international adoption because they read stories like the Scotts' and get nervous, Eyre says. But if Utah parents go through an reputable adoption agency, "there is no need to be worried," she says.
Generally, people are safer going through agencies rather than through a private adoption, she says.
Her agency is in need of adoptive parents, she says. "We're down to two families for every birth mom, and a birth mom needs four or five to choose from. . . . We're in need of diverse adoptive families, especially those willing to accept black or biracial babies."
E-mail: jarvik@desnews.com
Comments
- Vonn skis out in slalom 12:40 p.m.
- Boyle's album tops Britain's charts 12:35 p.m.
- Woods says accident 'my fault' 12:28 p.m.
- Preventing small plane crashes 12:13 p.m.
- Giving heart to women who exercise 11:55 a.m.
- 4 police officers shot dead in Wash. 11:50 a.m.
- Leno losing his audience to DVR 11:43 a.m.
- Northeast scallopers decry cuts 11:29 a.m.
- $ needed to ease U.N. climate deal 11:17 a.m.
- Sen.: Troop hike must help forces 11:12 a.m.
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime
- BYU is champion of the state
- Cave to be sealed with body inside
- Credit Coug defense for win
- Cougar defense rose to occasion
- Field goals, penalties doomed Utes
- Jones' joy for life remembered
- Banged up Jazz get best of Blazers
- Man dies in dirt bike crash
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime
440 - Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
411 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
136 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
116 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
115 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
113 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
89 - BYU is champion of the state
89 - Hall's legacy measured today
76 - Y. focused on 10-win season
73
I wanted to tell them not to go. I dropped subtle hints. "My money is on...
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
As a BYU student, and one who takes all those dang calls and mail about...
Hahahahahahahahah!
its just laughable seeing how bitter maxie is about last year with his 15...
Good for you...Tiger...keep it PRIVATE. It's nobody's business.
And you wonder why we like Tim Tebow so much. We also win championships and...
Seriously, if the table's were turned and the Utes won and the QB said that...
Mike Weir is a terrific man. Even though he is not LDS, he represents BYU...
Right on | 12:00 p.m. Nov. 29, 2009 If ANY Ute player or fan had his family...
Max Hall's actions and the true vitriol that seems to exist between students...
... deserves to have him be their QB. And guess what, those of you who...




You can be the first to comment on this story.