Johannesburg - It has been traumatic for a couple who adopted a boy to realise they could no longer keep him, but the decision to give him up is also in everyone’s best interests.
The couple’s legal representative,
Arthur Channon, said it was imperative that one noted the unique nature of their particular case.
The boy, who is now 13, has been diagnosed with reactive attachment disorder, and has been described by psychiatrists as an “extremely damaged and lonely child” as a consequence of early abuse and neglect.
Channon said the couple from Krugersdorp had proceeded with the application to set aside his adoption only after careful consideration. ”It is clear that the minor child’s best interest will only be served if the adoption is set aside. The findings and recommendations of the experts and the office of the family advocate fully support it (the application),” he said.
Because the matter is sub judice, and a trial date has yet to be set, the couple will not comment further.
Last week we reported on this precedent-setting court case before the Pretoria High Court to get the Ministry of Social Development to approve a request to relinquish their rights as adoptive parents, despite the time frame for such a move having lapsed. The boy was adopted when he was four. In terms of the law, parents only have two years after an adoption has been formalised to ask that it be set aside. They detailed incidents of the boy’s inappropriate sexual behaviour, aggression, violence and attempts at suicide. He is currently in a place of safety.
Saturday Star