SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – The Russian boy who was sent back to Moscow by his adoptive mother earlier this year has been placed back in an orphanage, according to a lawyer working for the adoption agency World Association for Children and Parents.
Attorney Larry Crain, who has offices in Brentwood, said the boy, now eight years old, was put back in a Russian orphanage this month after his adoptive mother, Torry Hansen of Shelbyville sent him back to his native country in April.
Crain said he did not know the name or location of the orphanage.
"Its our feeling, through the Russian officials we have been working with, that this child is in need of medical attention, psychological help and counseling as well as child support," Crain said. "There has been no effort to support this child who is a U.S. Citizen by virtue of this adoption."
Hansen sent the child back on a one-way flight to Moscow by himself with a note saying she didn't want him any more because he had severe psychological problems.
The incident created an international uproar and new adoptions by U.S. parents in Russia virtually stopped.
Crain said around 2,000 pending adoptions are in limbo following the incident.
"The tragedy is there are children in orphanages in Russia waiting for placement, and they can not be until this issue is resolved," he said.
The Shelbyville Times-Gazette reported Friday that Crain filed a court petition in Tennessee naming Jennifer Terhune as "an adopted mother who is willing to serve as guardian for the minor child."
Crain said the Wilson County mother approached the agency after hearing about the case.
"She is an adoptive mother of three," he said, "two from China, one from Korea and is uniquely qualified to serve in that capacity."
But Russian officials refuse to let the boy return to the U.S. until his adoptive mother is criminally charged for sending him back.
"The Russian officials feel very strongly about not returning him at the moment until a full investigation is done into why this mother did what she did and whether there will be any consequences," Crain said.
Bedford County's District Attorney General said his office is investigating Hansen to see if any crime was committed in Bedford County.
Chuck Crawford said Hansen and her mother have refused to answer questions from investigators.
Russian officials have also restricted access to the Russian boy.
Crawford said if investigators find evidence of a crime they will present the case to a Bedford County Grand Jury.
A judge is expected to decide on a motion August 12 to have the boy's case transferred to juvenile court.
Crain said that is typical for a case involving allegations of neglect and abandonment.
Crain did not know when a judge would decide if Terhune will be appointed the boy's temporary guardian.
*The Shelbyville Times-Gazette and Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Justin Hansen, with adoptive mom Torry, in Russian orphanage
