How Could You? Hall of Shame-Anton Batrakov case UPDATED
This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.
From the US, 16-year-old Russian adoptee Anton Batrakov reported his own abuse… to Russia! This is a remarkable, new twist in abuse reporting which may have widespread implications for the future of Russian adoptions and abuse reporting.
“The Children Rights Commissioner for the Russian President, Pavel Astakhov, has asked the Foreign Ministry to find out the details of the adoption of a Russian teenager by a US family. The teenager has since asked to be returned to Russia.
Russia to inquire into adoption of Russian teenager
[The Voice of Russia 2/17/12]
“Presidential Commissioner for Children’s Rights Pavel Astakhov is verifying information about the possible abuse of a Russian-born adopted child in the United States and is ready to provide his assistance if the reports prove true.
According to media, Russian orphan Anton Batrakov, 16, emailed his adoption curator about the harassment that he has to suffer from his new parents. He said they beat him, feed him poorly and try to take him to a mental hospital. He said they recently kept him in a cellar for five days.
“If all of this is true, then, of course, we can help him get back to Russia,” Astakhov told RIA Novosti on Friday. He added that his staff will find out when and how Anton was adopted.
Astakhov also said that if the adoption treaty between Russia and the United States is ratified, it will be easier to resolve such problems.
“Pursuant to the treaty, if a child has left his adoptive family, his or her further stay in the United States and his new adoption are only possible with Russia’s consent. Thus, we could simply express out discontent and the Americans would be obliged to return him,” the ombudsman said.
Earlier, several cases of abuse of Russian-born children adopted in the United States caused a public outcry.
The Foreign Ministry said last Friday that deems it expedient to suspend adoption by U.S. citizens and toughen requirements for adoptive parents before the bilateral treaty enters into force.”
Children’s rights commissioner to verify reports on adopted child abuse in United States
[Rapsi News 2/17/12]
The 400 adoptions referred to in The Voice of Russia are the 400 “missing” children that we reported about last year. See the post here. We are one of the few, if not the only, US source that has discussed this and connected the dots of this to the current Russian adoption issues.
REFORM Puzzle Piece
Can you hear us NOW DOS and COA? Abuse and death reports need to be collected on a national level. Homestudies need firming up. The rubberstamping has to stop
Update: Anton is mentioned in a new Moscow Times article with a new detail. “Astakhov’s report, which will be released to the public on Monday, also addresses the recent spate of teen suicides and international adoptions, which have been the subject of intense controversy in recent years following a series of abuse cases involving foreign parents.
The latest incident was reported on Friday. Anton Batrakov, 16, alleged he was hit in the face, poorly fed and locked up in a psychiatric hospital by his American adoptive parents.
Citing an “incessant string of crimes,” the Foreign Ministry earlier this month asked the government to suspend adoptions by U.S. parents until a July 2011 bilateral agreement enters into force that establishes clearer and tighter guidelines for adoptions and monitoring. The agreement is finalized on the U.S. side, but ratification by the Duma is still pending.
At least 17 Russian children have died in the United States as a result of abuse by their parents since 1995, Pavel Astakhov, the children’s ombudsman, said in January 2011.”
UNICEF Gives Mixed Review to State Orphan Efforts
[The Moscow Times 2/19/12 by Jonathan Earle]
Update 2: It is revealed that Anton was adopted as an older child. This article is saying that he was “above age 14” when he agreed to be adopted to the US.
“The Prosecutor’s Office of Chuvashia, Russia, has examined the legitimacy of 16-year-old Anton Batrakov adoption by a U.S. family and found no violations in the adoption procedure.
Anton complained about violence, bad food and said that his foster parents tried to take him to the asylum. He also complained about being kept for five days in the basement. Batrakov said his parents started treating him badly after they learned that he used to be a problem kid.
Children’s rights ombudsman Pavel Astakhov said that he is now verifying the information.
Meanwhile, the prosecutor’s office verified the legitimacy of Batrakov’s adoption.
The prosecutor’s office reported that during the court hearing Anton spoke on his own behalf as a person above 14, and agreed to be adopted by the U.S. family.
The prosecutor’s office found that Anton was unable to adapt in the foster family and moreover his behavior was troublesome. He currently stays in the foster care center in the United States and wants to stay there. The future situation will depend on the treatment progress and his own wish, the prosecutors office reported.”
Prosecutors deem Russian teenager’s adoption by U.S. couple legitimate
[RAPSI News 3/29/12]
And we know Anton is telling the truth? Not suffering from the lack of conscience that living in an orphanage cause?
Anonymous, unless you lived in his home, you and I don't "know" anything. Authorities now are involved in this case and we will post more as the case unfolds. The quick-to-judge-the-child-as-a-liar mentality often rears its head in our comments. There are many questions that need to be answered including when and why he managed to report this to Russia.
Not every child who lived in an orphanage has a lack of conscience (aka RAD.)Having RAD doesn't protect them from abuse.
This is the first case of its kind that we find out allegations from the sending country first. While some may say this is propaganda, the reality is that internationally adopted children do get abused and investigations are not timely.
I suppose you are right about us not really knowing the situation, not having lived in his home. It's just that I happen to have a Russian adoptee who has RAD, and I have been affected first hand by his web of lies. It's not unheard of for kids like this to make false allegations.
I am familiar with the lying and know that false allegations do occur. I also know things can get complex and possibly all parties are telling the truth at the same time-maybe he abused people, he was also abused,and he wants to go back to Russia.It has been alleged by some of our commenters that he is in an RTC. If that is the case, we are seriously wondering how he connected with Russia as we thought there are restrictions involved with that.
I can reveal who I am or how I know, but I know Anton personally and what he claims is true unfortunately his adoptive parents decided they did not want him anymore and sent him away to live in Texas. Later they decided they did not want to pay for that and made up charges against him to try to free themselves from financial responsibility. Poor kid ended up traumatized being pulled from his home in Texas to go to court and juvenile in St. Louis. A real travesty.