The petition filed this week by Washington State-based adoption agency World Association for Children and Parents takes adoption and court officials into unchartered territory. The petition asks court authorities to launch an investigation into potential abuse and abandonment on the part of a Tennessee woman who “returned” her 8-year-old adopted son to Russia.

Larry Crain, a lawyer for the adoption agency, told the Associated Press that they went to court out of frustration that no one was investigating claims that the Hansens abandoned and endangered the child. Crain said they wanted to send a message to Russia that somebody is the U.S. cares about what happened to the boy [Source: Shelbyville (TN) Times-Gazette]

The WACAP is also asking the court to appoint a guardian for the child, who may need medical or psychological attention. The agency wants the court to place child support requirements on Hansen, who is still technically the boy’s mother.

Labels: international, Russia