No Returns: Ohio Parents Return Adopted Son . . . After Nine Years

If news accounts are correct, Cleveland and Lisa Cox may be the personification of a consumer society . . . to the point of treating their son as an unwanted or defective product. The couple is charged with abandonment after they took their 9-year-old son back to the Butler County Children’s Services where they adopted him at 3 months old. They are seeking the termination of their parental rights and responsibilities.

The parents appear to believe that adopted children are like an unwanted dress, though even retailers will not honor a return policy after nine years of use.

The parents, who live in a $300,000 home and do not cite economic hardship, reportedly stated that the boy was acting aggressively toward them. They also reportedly stated that the boy would not cooperate in seeking help. Assuming that the boy has serious behavioral issues, there is not an option to terminate your parental duties. There is no difference between a natural and adopted child at this stage. It is important to remember that this is a nine-year-old boy. I have seen friends with severe cases but they have worked through it. Whatever “issues” this boy had before, they are likely one hundred times worse after being dropped off like a bag at Salvation Army.

The Coxes have a hearing scheduled on their custody issue but they will have to appear in a different proceeding for their charges of a first degree misdemeanor. For that, they could spend six months in jail though such sentences are often suspended or staggered . . . when you have to care for a child.

Source: Journal-News