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INFERTILITY   ADOPTION   POST-ADOPTION   FAMILY TREE   Adoption Resource Central    Heart of Adoption Articles to inspire   International adoption guide   You can order Family Helper publications		"Internet Twins" in custody battle BY ROBIN HILBORN, Family Helper editor
		(Apr. 9, 2001) The "Internet Twins" story made big headlines, starting in January 2001. They were "sold twice via the Internet", as the newspapers put it. In fact they were adopted using an adoption broker, Tina Johnson of San Diego, who ran Caring Hearts Adoption web site. The two adopting couples made first contact with Johnson through the site. The first adoption fell through when the birthmother revoked her consent within the prescribed period. The second adoption looks invalid because none of the parties were deemed to be resident in the state where it took place. But to back up to the start ... On June 26, 2000 twins Kimberley and Belinda were born in St. Louis, Missouri to Tranda and Aaron Wecker. After the couple separated, Johnson worked on behalf of the birthmother to find adoptive parents. The twins were placed with a California couple, Richard and Vickie Allen of San Bernardino, who paid Johnson US$6,000. The birth mom changed her mind after 60 days and took back the twins. She was within her rights to revoke her initial consent since California's waiting period is 90 days. Wecker and Johnson took the babies to San Diego and gave them to Alan and Judith Kilshaw of Wales, who paid Johnson US$12,000. Johnson has since vanished. Wecker and the Kilshaws, pursued by the Allens, drove to Arkansas (for its lenient adoption laws) and signed adoption papers on Dec. 22. Then the Kilshaws flew to Wales with the babies. The Allens made accusations of "baby-selling" and both sets of adoptive parents, and the birthparents, all sought custody of the twins. The Allens dropped their claim in March after Richard was charged with sexually assaulting two babysitters. On Mar. 6, 2001 an Arkansas judge ruled the adoption was invalid because neither the Kilshaws nor the birthmother met Arkansas' 30-day residency requirement. The judge asked Britain to return the twins to the U.S.; the custody case should be decided by a Missouri court. In Missouri a judge awarded temporary custody to birthfather Aaron Wecker, now separated from Tranda. On Apr. 9, 2001 Britain's High Court ruled the twins must be returned to the U.S. Now in foster care in Britain, they will be placed with Missouri social service workers until permanent arrangements can be made. CBC REPORT: "Setback for British couple who bought twins over Internet", Apr. 9, 2001: http://cbc.ca/cgi-bin/templates/view.cgi?/news/2001/04/09/internet_twins010409. ________________________________________ You may reproduce this item with the credit: "Source: Family Helper (www.familyhelper.net)"