3,700 Adoptions in Limbo

Kids were adopted in US, Sweden, and Italy

(NEWSER) - The Guatemalan army stole at least 333 children during the country’s 36-year civil war, selling them for adoption in countries including the US, Sweden, and Italy, says a new government report. In some cases, the children’s parents were killed. “This was a great abuse by the state,” the lead investigator tells CNN. Asked if there would be prosecutions, he replied, “I hope so.” More»

(NEWSER) - Guatemala and Vietnam, two of the most popular countries for international adoptions, recently halted their programs, following reports that some babies are kidnapped and put up for adoption or birth mothers coerced—fueled by the $30,000 an adoption can fetch. Vietnam says it will no longer allow adoptions to the US, while Guatemala will resume them only after slogging through a case-by-case review of pending adoptions. More»

US families adopt fewer kids abroad due to strict new policies

(NEWSER) - US adoptions from abroad have sunk for the third straight year, mostly because China and Russia have tougher policies, AP reports. A drop in adoptions from Haiti and South Korea have also added to the 15% decline since 2004. But a spike in adoptions from Guatemala, Ethiopia, and Vietnam have partly balanced the scales, experts say. More»

Verna McClain killed mother to 'adopt' her newborn, say police

(NEWSER) - The woman accused of shooting a young mother to death and snatching her 3-day-old boy is a Texas nurse who told police she was planning to "adopt" the baby as her own after suffering a miscarriage, reports AP . Verna McClain, 30, confessed to killing 28-year-old Kala Golden outside a pediatrician's office in Houston and will face capital murder charges. More»

Singer-songwriter welcomed elder child in 2007

(NEWSER) - Sheryl Crow has adopted a baby son. "I have some exciting news to share with you guys," the singer-songwriter announced on her website. "Wyatt has a new little brother!" Wyatt is the child Crow adopted in 2007, notes PopEater . The new addition is 5-week-old Levi James. More»