Review on abuse in adoptive placements in Washington to be released

Several cases of severe child abuse and neglect of adopted children in Washington state prompted the governor to call for a review of the system. The results of that review are due out Tuesday.

A copy of the report, obtained early by KING 5, says that while most adoptive parents provide loving homes for children, a group of alarming cases of severe abuse and neglect in adoptive placements were observed between 2010 and 2011.

“We promise these kids safe homes and we put them in homes where they were basically tortured,” the report’s co-author Mary Meinig tells KING 5. “We can’t have that.”

The report, compiled by the Severe Abuse of Adopted Children Committee, highlights case studies of 15 incidents of child abuse or neglect that occurred in 2010 and 2011. Including the case of Hana Williams, an adopted child who died after freezing to death outside her home, where she was placed as punishment by her adoptive parents.

Common elements of the abuse cited in the report include withholding food from children, forcing children to remain outside, denying children access to toilet facilities and isolating children from the community.

The authors of the review says there are changes needed in the adoption process.

“It’s supposed to work and be forever and these kids experience terrible, terrible abuse,” says Meinig.

The report concluded there are glaring issues with the state adoptive system, such as inadequate oversight, not enough education and licensing of private adoptive services, and workers failing to spot potential abuse.

The report includes recommendations on changes that could be made to improve the adoption process in Washington.

KIRO Radio Editor Karen Taylor contributed to this report.