Miami Adoptive Mother Struggles With Russian Adoption Ban
MIAMI (CBS4) - a South Florida woman fought back tears as she decribed the brothers who were supposed to be her sons.
"They are extremely sweet, sweet, sweet little boys," the woman, who did not want to be identified, told CBS4's David Sutta . "They're two and three years old."
The Miami woman said the she and her husband were granted permission to adopt the boys from Russia in December. But their world came crashing down one week later, as President Vladimir Putin ordered a stop to all adoptions of Russian Children by Americans.
"My husband and I never imagined that we would be a family that would be caught up in the political crossfire between two powerful nations like the United States and Russia," she said.
Maria, a single mother is shocked at her friends situation. Six months ago, she brought home a precious Russian toddler.
"Oh my baby's gorgeous," exclaimed Maria.
The boy was adopted through the same agency and orphanage in the 13th Century Russian City of Tver... that was handling her friend's adoption that is now in limbo.
"I just could not imagine me being in that situation. I'd be... it's very, very sad. Very sad for the children," Maria told CBS4.
Maria is helping collect signatures for a petition to ask the Obama White House to intervene on behalf of the families who say they are innocent bystanders in a political drama.
"That's more than anything what's important right now. In order to get the President involved more involved in this," Maria said.
Although this woman, on the verge of Motherhood, has had her dream ripped from her heart, she remains confident that a diplomatic solution can be found.
"We are just innocent citizens that really wanted to save two children's lives. We wanted to start a family. We wanted to give a child a very bright future."
Both women say one of the reasons they picked Russia to adopt from, is because of a bilateral treaty with the u.s. that took two years to negotiate. The treaty laid out the entire process, and was supposed to eliminate last-minute surprises like this one.
"It's an extremely extensive process as it should be."
The move by Russian politicians is believed to be retaliation for a law passed last month by Congress, called the Magnistsky Act. This imposes U.S. travel and financial restrictions on human rights abusers in Russia.
The cost of everything this eager parent has done to get her and her husband to get her two boys from Russia has tapped them out. Financially, they are not in a position to start again with another country. Meantime, this local woman has a message for her children.
"That we love them, that's we're going to fight to the very end. that we're not giving up on them. We are not giving up on them."
David Sutta CBS4 News. To find out more about the adoption petition go to
