An independent voice for ethical adoption
China: Adoption laws to change after death of Chinese adoptee in Tennessee
From WSMV-TV:
The case of a Mount Juliet couple accused of abusing and killing their adopted child is now sparking an international response.
China, the country where Deborah and Steven Mark adopted their child from, may now change the way children can come to this country. It’s the second time in a matter of months that a Tennessee family’s behavior prompts international adoption sanctions.
Inside a Mount Juliet home, law enforcement say 4-year-old Kairissa Mark was severely beaten and abused from head to toe by her adoptive mother, Lebanon pediatrician Deborah Mark.
Deborah Mark and her husband, Steven Mark, had adopted Kairissa from China in April, less than four months before police found their new daughter dead.
Deborah and Steven Mark now face charges in the child’s death…
In response to this latest incident, the China Center of Adoptive Affairs now plans to change their policies with American families, first by possibly stopping work with problematic agencies, then by increasing the number of post adoption supervisory visits.
Right now, China’s policy requires a family visit after six months of adoption. The Mount Juliet tragedy happened after less than four months…
China has not yet officially determined what the new adoption regulations will be. But adoption officials do now confirm there will be more regular and complete reporting, along with serious penalties for failure to follow their guidelines.
Access the full article here.
Follow Us
