[Linny]

I've debated putting this on a public forum, but feel it's time.
In 2005, it was discovered that one of the children (teen at the time) we'd adopted, decided to become a sexual predator. From that point on, we refused to allow him back into our home. LONG story short, after many months of court appearances, much $$ paid to attorneys, hearing the 'system' threaten to charge us with abandonment should we refuse to keep him, paying his stipend to another family to keep him, and having him tested by the 'system's' appointed counseling service, the 'system' (CPS) allowed us to sign him back over. The official testing concluded that he should be completely supervised at all times, should be, as they put it, in 'line of sight supervision' at all times---especially around younger children.

When I spoke to the counseling service who conducted the extensive testing on him, I was told that 'line of sight supervision' was chosen instead of residential...though the 'line' for residential was very closely made. I asked if this was actually putting other children at risk, given his lack of remorse, etc.
They wouldn't disagree.

We were more than happy to sign him back over, if for no other reason, that we had very young children in our home at the time, and we would not put those children in harm's way.

Fast forward to now. He was convicted of the crimes (which involved more than one victim) and was court ordered to attend a facility for sexual offenders.
This teen requested that he be adopted again----once he has been released from the court ordered residential facility for sexual offenders. His photo has been published as this child needs a forever family type of headline in the local newspaper, the state wide publication for adoptive and foster families, and the state's adoptable children website. NO MENTION Of his problems...even to state that he should be put in a home with no younger children, has been written. I realize that families who might inquire, could be told of his problems upon interest, but history and discussion with other parents of older adopted children has told me it is common for the system to NOT disclose vital info about a child. Further, our own family has been a 'victim' of this type of child placement, having NOT been told of vital info about another older child adoption.

I've spoken to the local counseling service we used back when dh and I chose to put ourselves in counseling to deal with the disruption of a child---and a sexual predator at that. Their legal has called the state attorney general's office, who, I'm told, is very interested in our particular case.

This son will---at some point in the near future---be released from this program.
It has been said by the residential facility where he resides now, that upon his release, we will have NO RIGHTS as to WHEN he is released, or WHERE he will be residing!!!!!
I'm told that if he wasn't a minor (which he will be for a short while still), this would not be the case. Rather we'd be informed as to his release and have the benefit of writing to the releasing authorities concerning our belief that he should not be allowed to be adopted by folks within our county (for his and our benefit...many people in the surrounding area are well aware of his actions and conviction).

I understand he has a right to a life. I understand he may benefit from the program he's in now. I hope he takes that info and is able to make a life free from further incidents.
But, I do not understand why our family is denied the right to know when he's released, or at least knowing where he's placed should he be adopted in the chance that any of us might run into him at any event---should he be adopted within this community or nearby.

Don't we have that right?......

Sincerely,

Linny