Woman finding it difficult to 'unadopt' child

WASHINGTON - When Helen Briggs was first introduced to the lively little boy she was due to take home and foster she was captivated by his happy, smiling manner.

Within 12 months she had persuaded her husband to agree to formally adopt the child.

But now, six years later, things are very different. Briggs is in the unhappy situation of trying to "unadopt" the boy after learning of his dark and troubled past when he molested two younger children.

The situation is not made easier because the boy, now aged 15, wants Briggs to remain his mother.

Briggs, 57, from Lorton, Virginia, says when she adopted the boy she did not know that he had lived in five foster homes since he was 16-months-old and that he had been physically abused by his parents, who were addicted to drink and drugs.

She said it was possible he suffered from bipolar disorder. She was informed of none of this and was merely told that the boy was "hyperactive".

But in 2003 the young boy molested a 6-year-old boy and a 2-year-old girl and after an assessment psychologists judged that he was a "sexual predator".

Such a decision meant that if he were to remain in Briggs' home, she would no longer be able to act as a foster parent to other children and that her three grandchildren would also be unable to visit. She decided to dissolve the adoption.

A judge first granted her request and for the last three years the boy has been living with other foster parents.

But according to Virginia state law, a child over the age of 14 must give their consent for an adoption to be dissolved and he requested Briggs remain his mother. She is also still required to pay $427 a month in child support.

- INDEPENDENT