IAG and AAI (Washington) Temporarily Suspended by Ethiopia’s MOWCYA UPDATED

US DOS gives a late notice on the suspension that has been in place for almost two months. See here. The notice is pasted below:

“Ethiopia

Notice: Suspension of Services to U.S. Adoption Service Providers

The Ministry of Women, Children, and Youth Affairs informed the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa that as of September 12, 2012, the Ministry temporarily suspended services to International Adoption Guides and Adoption Advocates International.  This suspension follows reports of abuse to Ethiopian adoptees placed with U.S. families by these agencies.  This suspension of services applies to new cases only.  While court hearings may be assigned, the suspension of services may prevent a final decision from the Federal First Instance Court, or a final decree from the Ministry, from being issued.  The Ministry indicated that this action is temporary, and that a final determination will only be made once the Ministry has sufficient opportunity to investigate the abuse cases and to review the actions taken by the agencies to address the situation.

The Department of State will post further information.”

I don’t know which of the following is the worst: that these agencies will be back to regular business shortly; that DOS waited until November 9, 2012 to announce something that happened on September 12, 2012; that neither agency publicly talked about this for potential new clients ; that at least for AAI, they did not inform their clients until October 12, 2012 (at least according to one PAP. See here ) or that current PAPs really don’t give a rip for the serious reasons why their agencies are being suspended.

IAG is the agency of the Pennsylvania Deputy Attorney General Douglas Barbour and his wife Kristen. See their case here.

AAI placed Hana and Immanuel Williams. See their case here.

REFORM Puzzle Piece

Update: DOS issues notice that IAG’s suspension was lifted on November 30, 2012. See here and pasted below: “Notice: Re-instatement of Services to U.S. Adoption Service Provider

On November 9, the Department of State posted a notice regarding the Ethiopian Ministry of Women, Children, and Youth Affairs’ temporary suspension of services to International Adoption Guides effective September 12, 2012.

On December 4, the Ministry informed the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa that as of November 30, 2012, it lifted the temporary suspension on services provided to International Adoption Guides.”

Update 2: DOS issues a notice  on December 31, 2012 that AAI’s suspension was lifted on November 30, 2012. See here and pasted below:

“Notice: Re-instatement of Services to U.S. Adoption Service Provider

On November 9, the Department of State posted a notice regarding the Ethiopian Ministry of Women, Children, and Youth Affairs’ temporary suspension of services to Adoption Advocates International effective September 12, 2012.

On December 27, the Ministry informed the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa that as of November 30, 2012, it lifted the temporary suspension on services provided to Adoption Advocates International.”

Update 3/August 8, 2013: Hattip to a commenter who has sent AAI’s notice about another death (suicide) of an adoptee placed by AAI which was the cause of the 2012 suspension.

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs106/1109032175995/archive/1111256788045.html

“Ethiopia In Process Update

A Temporary Hold on Current Cases

We were stunned to learn yesterday that the Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MOWA) decided to place a temporary hold on processing adoptions for AAI. This was the result of an unfortunate case where a child we had placed with a family died from a drug overdose. There were no charges in this case and foul play was not suspected.

We have been working with MOWA to resolve this issue and thought we had provided them with more than enough information. However, another case with a different adoption agency completely unrelated to AAI recently caused them to take action and place a temporary hold on processing cases with both AAI and the other agency.
Until this hold is lifted, we cannot offer any new referrals to our waiting families or process any cases for court. From the information we have received from our Ethiopian staff, we believe all cases that have passed court can continue moving forward through the embassy process.

 

We have spent the last couple of days contacting all of the authorities involved with the case in question as well as the adoptive family to put together enough information so that MOWA will remove their hold. It may take several weeks to a couple of months to have the hold lifted.

 

We know this is difficult news to receive and apologize for the delay this may cause in your adoption. We ask for your patience and understanding as we work to resolve this issue as soon as possible. Please don’t hesitate to call or email with questions, and we will do our best to keep you updated throughout.”

AAI also placed Gloria Huang who died of starvation in January 2013. See here That is three deaths in one and half years. Why is AAI still in business?