Monday, February 11, 2013

February 11

I heard of an interesting case out of New Jersey today. The New Jersey Supreme Court held that prenatal drug use by a mother was not a basis for finding child abuse or neglect.  There needs to be evidence that there is imminent danger to the child or actual evidence of harm to the child.

I hope this frees up more children for direct private placements adoptions without involvement by a social service department bent on fostering.


Thursday, February 7, 2013

February 7

I read about two interesting cases recently. They are not both adoption cases but have implications to the adoption field.

The first one is EX PARTE HOPE ELISABETH ANKROM, an Alabama case dealing with the offense of chemical endangerment of a child. The Supreme Court held that " offense of chemical endangerment of a child , includes unborn children." it is my understanding the child lived 19 minutes.

With addiction being a problem in the adoption field , testing of birth mother candidates is extremely important. If the birth  mother tests positive are the lawyers for the adoptive parents responsible to  report the birth mother as mandatory reporters?

The second case out of Florida allowed for three names to be listed on a birth certificate.  The facts are simple, same-sex female couple used sperm from a known man to impregnate one of the female partners.  It is of interest that the couple were married in Connecticult.

The judge approved the adoption by the spouse and further allowed for all three names to be  listed  on the birth certificate.  Interesting outcome, great minds can differ on the propriety of having more than two parents named on a birth certificate,  but I suspect it is the future.

California already allows for a child to have more than  two parents

"A child can't have too many people who love them." I am not sure who first penned that quote but it seems appropriate here.

Friday, February 1, 2013

Adoption Day in Los Angeles County, the best! I have three adoption finalizations set for this morning. Three very happy families. Adoption Finalization Day is an important day. Today all the stress is over.

The Judge usually asks me to do a card trick or two which makes adoption more Magical.