Advertisements
We have accepted a referral of a 6 month old baby girl. My husband's family is planning on visiting her tomorrow at the orphanage. Next week we are hoping they can bring her home to care for her.
My husband, myself, and our 2 yr old daughter are traveling on May 21st to Panama. We had the tickets purchased prior to the referral. We wanted to go for a visit because we were told it may be a long wait. My husband is staying for a couple of weeks. My daughter and I will be staying in Panama with our baby until the paperwork is complete and we can bring her back to the US. We are expecting to be there for at least six months.
Our agency told us that the paperwork was submitted for her TPR last week. They said she her case is an "abandonment" case. Does anyone know what this means exactly? Does the birthmother have to sign like in Rebecca and Lauri's case?
Also, does anyone know if at any point through this court processes that we could get approval to bring her back to the US and then return to Panama? I thought I had read once that someone was hoping to bring back their child and then return.
Any insights or suggestions are welcome. We are in whirlwind of emotions and planning.
jane
Like
Share
Congratulations, Jane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my gosh I'm so happy for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I believe abandonment means they don't have any specific parental information (no names on the birth certificate or can't find the parents). Maybe someone has more info.
I'm hoping we'll be neighbors in Panama soon!
Robin
Advertisements
In regards to taking the child out of the country, when we adopted last year, they wouldn't even come close to considering it. Our adoption was completed on the Panamanian side, but the US consulate had not completed her visa. Until that was completed with every i dotted and t crossed they wanted her in country. As for the abandonment hearing I do not know for sure if Ysa's birth mother attended or not, but I will check with my Panamanian attorney and get back to you.
Sara (and Jane),
It would be helpful to get some clarification on this because if the child has spent the required 6 months in the orphanage with no visits from any birthfamily, that child is supposed to be considered "abandoned" and the official abandonment investigation may begin (interviewing relatives to see if anyone WANTS to parent the child & is capable of doing so).
But "our" kids were in the orphanage from May 2003-present (12 months), and their birthmother STILL has to show up to court (legally). But in our case, I don't think she has to sign any kind of statement releasing the children. The judge can do that for her (ruling that the parent is "disqualified"/incapable of parenting, making them available for adoption).
KimP adopted her daughter through a "relinquishment." That means that she had guardianship (while living in Panama) of the little girl until the birthmother was old enough (18) to voluntarily release her daughter for adoption. Their adoption DID require the signature of the birthmother, but that doesn't seem to be the norm.
But if you can get clarification on this "abandonment" terminology, it would be very helpful for all of us. Thanks!
Rebecca
P.S. KimP told me that temporary guardianship (bringing the child home, and then returning to Panama to finish the adoption) is very unlikely. More likely because of the U.S. side of things---you'd have to apply for a non-resident visa, get all kinds of approvals, etc. The U.S. doesn't want you to bring the child home until they are certain that the child is LEGALLY yours. So they'll fight it all the way. :rolleyes:
Jane,
Do you know any military families? If so, ask them how they've handled extended periods of active duty, and see if they can give you some tips. Six months is a LONG time to be apart from your husband (and he from you and your daughter!), so you'll both need a shoulder to cry on and complain to on occasion! :p
Research shows that the greatest thing missing in long-distance relationships is the everyday small talk. So try to spend several days each week on the phone just chatting about the weather, what you had for dinner, the silly things you each did that day, etc. This is the part of the human connection that will be missing if you only communicate via e-mail. (Trust me, I'm a face-to-face communication vs. computer-mediated communication researcher, so I've read this is the literature and experienced it myself!)
Good luck!
Rebecca
:)
Advertisements
Thanks for the tip Rebecca!!
My husband's family got to see her today. She was cooing at them throughout the whole visit. They were - as Panamanians say - like chicken's in heat. I have never seen chickens in heat but guess that means they were really excited. I can't wait to see her for myself!! I wonder if they have a saying for really, really, really, really excited!?!
jane
Not to undermine Kim P's experience with a Panamanian adoption, but there are vast differences from US adoption vs. military adoptions that resided in Panama. Those individuals were under different legal terms than those of us residing in the US. Before Panama opened adoptions, the adoptions were all relinquishments. As for the requirements I have not received a repy back yet, but will e-mail as soon as I hear from my Panamanian attorney.
Advertisements