[Linny]

I'm not a resident of Missouri; but we have a potential situation where the baby would be born in Missouri. The situation would involve attorneys on both sides (not an agency....though we have an agency in our state that will be doing post placements, etc. That's IF this situation pans out.)

My question is, I've heard that when a baby is born in Missouri, the adoptive parents are not allowed to take physical custody of the baby, after parental rights have been released? I'm told that the baby must go into foster care. Is this correct?
We have our foster/adopt license in our own state; but I'm told this would have no bearing in Missouri.
If this information about 'going into foster care' is correct......does anyone know for how long? Is it until the ICPC is completed......or longer, and though we might have to stay in Missouri (hotel, etc)......we could still be bonding with this baby while ICPC is being done.

I'd appreciate any info anyone could tell me about this. I know our attorney will be finding out more details----again, IF we are chosen.....but I'd just like to inform myself as well.

Thanks ahead of time.

Sincerely,

Linny

[lucyjoy]

I'm pretty sure they put the babies into fostercare for up to 10 days until mom signs over consent in court. With the ICPC they may leave the baby there longer.

Midwest fostercare and adoption agency would know the answer to this. 816-350-0215. They're good about answering questions.

[TwoAngels]

This is not true everywhere in Missouri. In the St. Louis area, the baby does have to stay in foster care for up to a month, but where I live, in Southeast Missouri, the baby gets to go home right from the hospital with the potential adoptive parents. I don't know about the rest of the state. It sounds like different jurisdictions do different things.

Stacy

[Linny]

Thank you both for your prompt replies!!! In regards to what area of Missouri; seemed to me that I had heard the STL area was different than the rest of the state.

ONE more question, if you don't mind....

It is my understanding that the birthparents can sign to release their child 48hrs after birth. Then, I also understand, that either or both can revoke this signing UP UNTIL the judge reviews the case (which hopefully, surely isn't going to take up to a MONTH!!?!?!??! Gee Whiz!!!!! )

Can you give me any insight into this?


Most sincerely,


Linny

[mckenna]

i live in missouri and have friends who adopted a baby from missouri and they live in missouri. they took their son home from the hospital at 2 o3 days old. the adoption was not final for 6 months, but they had their son from the time he was able to come home from the hospital. i know with catholic charities in mo, the baby goes to a foster home for 6 weeks after birth and then can go to the aparents. i am not an expert, as i am a foster/adopt parent through the state and have not had personal experience with private adoption.

[mckenna]

sorry, i did not fully answer the questions, my friends adoption was in st. louis and she was able to take the baby home right away. from what i understand (i could definatly be wrong on this) the bparents have 6 months to change their mind and for the adoption to be final (at least that was the case with my friend).

[lucyjoy]

My friend placed her baby through Catholic Charities in Jackson County. The baby stayed with her for 4 days in the hospital, then went to fostercare. She appeared in court about 10 days after the birth. The judge told her she could not revoke consent after the date. The law, however, I belive reads differently and could be contested for up to six months. I'm not positive about that, but that's what I heard. MO is usually pretty picky about the ICPC, but they do it fairly quickly if the other state cooperates.

Adoption court in MO backs up pretty quickly which would be the only reason I could see more then a 10 day wait. I'm just not sure anyone can get in the court that fast anymore in our county.

[Linny]

So you mean birthparents have SIX MONTHS in which to change their minds!??!?!? THIS is crazy, and I don't care who thinks it isn't? Hasn't ANYONE heard of bonding and what this can do to to a child????? (I know you both have....I'm not meaning to sound rude to any of you. )

But I have to say that these types of laws sound archaic at best! In our state, birthparents must wait 72 hours before anything can be signed, after that..........(especially with an agency)........it cannot be revoked.

Makes a person NOT want to adopt in Missouri! (And, yes, we have gone the foster/adopt route too. I have to add that when it comes to 'more caring state caseworkers'.......Missouri is one of the BEST!!!!)


Sincerely,

Linny