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Adoption Issues/adoption situation

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Expert: - 3/6/2011


Question
Hello...
My husband and I entered in to an adoption plan with a couple on January 26th.  We had an attorney, she had an attorney, doctors were aware everything was good.  My husband I were in the delivery room and I spent the night at the hospital with her.  The birth father was also very involved.
Before she could sign the papers, her sister that was not involved up until that point, came in and told her that she was not giving up the child, she was going home with her and that was that.  The birth mother changed her mind and the adoption did not take place.
7 days after being discharged, I was contacted by the birth mother and father.  They decided that they did in fact want to go through with the adoption.  They had already contacted their attorney who in turn contacted mine.
When the sister heard of this, she applied and was awarded temporary emergency guardianship for the child saying that the birthmother (who was living with her) was unfit.
The birthparents are extremely upset with this and want the adoption plan to take place.
Who wins?  The sister or the birthparents decision to place the child for adoption?  
We are in New York State.
I look forward to hearing back from you.
Anna Maria

Answer
Hello Anna Maria,

First, I want to apologize as I am sure tht this is a challenging and stressful situation for you and your husband.  Unfortunately, it is not cut and dry enough to just say either side wins.  The judge in the case will consider all of the information and if the parents are of sound mind, he may go with their wishes for the baby.  If this is in question, he may not. Keep in mind that if her family is trying to have the baby remain in their lives, the sister or other family members may continue to persuade her to change her mind or give the baby to a family member, even if the judge says she is fit.   


I wish that I could give you a definitive answer about this, but it is never that easy in foster care and adoption matters.  Nonetheless, I wish you all the best.

Chandricka Mose  

Adoption Issues

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Chandricka R. Mose, LCSW-C, LICSW, ACSW

Expertise

EXTENSIVE!! I can answer questions about issues pertaining to foster care, treatment foster care, foster care to adopt matters, kinship care, reunification and homestudy concerns and process.

Experience

I have 20 years of experience ih this arena. I have worked in preventing youth from entering care and provided case management to youth and families in care. I have conducted and supervised training for foster and adoptive parents in both the presercive and inservice phases. I have conducted and supervised parenting skills training for parents seeking to regain custody of their children. I also held positions as program supervisor and director of foster care services. I am an advocate for youth, professionals and parents that find theselves involved in the foster care and/or adoption process. I have also experienced foster care and adoption personally as I grew up with a mom who provided foster care services and have two adopted siblings.

Organizations
I am on the Advisory Committee of Kayla's Village. This is an advocacy and training organization for youth, professionals and parents involved with the child welfare system.

Publications
I have not been published, but serve as the social work expert at the Kayla's Village ask the expert free on-line service. I have also presented at a national conference on foster care and adoption issues.

Education/Credentials
I have a Bachelor of Social Work from Howard University and a Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University. I am clinically licensed in both Maryland and Washington, DC.

Awards and Honors
I was once honored as Employee of the Year.

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