Heartbreak for 'mother' as boy returned to Romania

A New Zealand woman who has raised a Romanian boy as her son for four years is being forced to return him to his home country - possibly to an orphanage.

Alana Cleland is the only mother Iani Lingurar, 6, has known.

Today they leave New Plymouth for Romania, with no guarantee Miss Cleland will be able to continue as Iani's caregiver.

Romanian officials refuse to allow Miss Cleland to adopt Iani because of a new law banning international adoptions from there.

A positive report and recommendation by Child, Youth and Family about her suitability to adopt has fallen on deaf ears.

Miss Cleland said the Romanian Government had demanded Iani be returned. His New Zealand visa had run out and was not being renewed because of the Romanian situation.

The son of Gypsies, Iani was abandoned at birth to a crowded orphanage. Miss Cleland, 29, works as a paediatric nurse and fell in love with Iani while doing voluntary work in an orphanage in Timisoara, Romania.

She got permission to travel abroad with Iani and they have lived in New Plymouth for nearly two years. Miss Cleland said her only hope now was to return to Romania indefinitely to fight the red tape.

Her mother, Beryl Cleland, said she could not imagine life without Iani. "He doesn't know any other family. He's our grandchild, Alana's son. He's now like any other New Zealand child."

Iani, a student at Spotswood Primary, said he was excited about the trip and visiting Romanian friends.

He has not been told he may not return to New Zealand.

- NZPA