Russians demand return of brother of adopted boy who died in Texas

 Posted on April 08, 2013 in Adoption

In late February, Russian lawmakers demanded that a 2-year-old adopted Russian be returned to Russia from Texas. The boy's 3-year-old brother, who was adopted by the same Texas family, died under shady circumstances in January. The New York Times published an article on the subject.

The younger boy, Kristopher Shatto, born Kirill Kuzmin in Russia, remains in the custody of his adoptive parents, Alan and Laura Shatto, in Gardendale, Tex. his biological mother, Yulia V. Kuzmina, who lost custody of the boys due to an alcohol addiction, also has demanded the boy's return. Even as the State Duma, the lower house of Parliament, adopted a resolution calling for Kirill to be brough back to Russia, news outlets in the U.S. report that Ms. Kuzmina and her boyfriend had gotten into a drunk brawl and were removed from a train by the police while returning to Gdov, a town near the Estonian border. They had been in Moscow for a television appearance. Employees of the resort that Ms. Kuzmina and her boyfriend had stayed at supported the claims that the two were drunk that night; the employees said they couldn't even answer questions about their visit. The older boy, Max Shatto, born Maksim Kuzmina, died on Jan. 21, and news of his death set off a huge outcry in Russia. Russian lawmakers banned adoptions by American citizens late last year. Texas child welfare officials said they had received a report of abuse on the same day that Max had died, and bruises were said to be found on Max's body. If you have been accused of child abuse or your adoptive children are being threatened to be taken away, contact a family law attorney in Austin, Tex. now. Attorneys at the Law Office of William D. Powers will help you fight for your family in court today.