Anti-USA propaganda ? Or just plain sick...

[possum]

Maybe in Russia, but in Ukraine (at least 2 years ago), the church agencies were initiating matching kids and parents then fronting it over to the Ministry for review and approval.

All international adoptions in Russia are initiated by the MoE.. They have a nationwide database of orphans at their disposal, out of which they pick a child at the request of an adoption agency.. The database is available online, and any domestic couple can pick a child to adopt from it, but for out-of-country adoption, the MoE gets to do the picking.

[ECOCKS]

Probably just semantics as to who in Ukraine initiates or administers the process. I get you.

[possum]

Probably just semantics as to who in Ukraine initiates or administers the process. I get you.

Could be.. My point is that since the MoE gets to pick which child to offer up for adoption, in many cases they choose the one with medical conditions that would prevent it from ever being adopted domestically..

[ECOCKS]

Could be.. My point is that since the MoE gets to pick which child to offer up for adoption, in many cases they choose the one with medical conditions that would prevent it from ever being adopted domestically..

I guess that's possible, if horrific in it's implications.

It should be about the child as JR's anecdote describes but in the end the government has their agendas and propaganda goals.

[BC]

I guess that's possible, if horrific in it's implications.

It should be about the child as JR's anecdote describes but in the end the government has their agendas and propaganda goals.

Is Dr. Phil working for the Russian government now?

It would only seem reasonable, and even prudent that kids with problems are offered to those that could provide the care necessary.  Surely westerners aren't going to get the 'pick of the litter' (for lack of another way to say it).  Such would indeed be counterproductive.

As far as the overall topic, yes, the babies should not be thrown out with the bathwater, but the same standards for domestic adoptions should apply to international adoptions.  Nothing is perfect in this world, but there should not be shortcuts either.

[Jumper]

Sensationalist television,
and yes i would think DCFS would look into it , if put on national TV.

Since it apparently hasn't , you have to wonder at "staged for effect"?
believing everything you watch on reality TV , as completely factual , seems odd.


As far as it being used to raise awareness of how "easy" or "quick"
 it is to adopt a Russian child??
it is again typical sensationlist thinking that any means ,justifies the end, ( saving children)

while ignoring that very conscript,, may harm more than it helps

Bringing about  awareness is great!
bringing awareness without a balanced view overall ,can do far more harm than good.


One of my best friends and his wife, who have their own children,
and would meet any requirements to adopt domestically.

Have adopted (at different times) two children from Russian orphanages ,  
they intentionally adopted older for the very reason that they felt those children are often over looked,
they also adopted Russian for similar reasons.
They felt the demand domestically insures many kids have foster or adoptive families in their future,
 while many in the FSU might not.

Their choice  had nothing to do with time line, convenience or ease.
It was certainly not easy. They opened their hearts and homes because they wanted to, and wanted to do so for children that they felt  had perhaps less chance at adoption.

The children are all loved and well adapted into their family, and no one meeting them would ever know
the adoptive kids from their own.


You wont see that on Oprah or Dr Phil.

you WOULD  see it in the vast majority of adoptive families cases.


 It makes me sick that a TV show ,masquerades as doing a good deed, is really only to draw higher rating and make more money through advertising.

Flaws in any system exist. Yes they should be looked into and improved on if realistically possible.


The odds of a Russian adoptive child ,being placed in an abusive home seems incredibly low.
I do know the rigors my friends went through in adopting .

A little sensationalism goes a long way though to change peoples perspectives,without any real knowledge or understanding of the current process in place ,or what could be done to make it better, the knee jerk
reactions, particularly when they involve government legislation or involvement are almost always the worst possible "correction".
Add in that most any career politician would certainly jump on any public perception to "save a child" and
sponsor a new bill.. ---
You have the *perfect storm * for those individuals working in the current system to adopt, or those working and helping the current orphans  and trying to identify and find adoptive parents.

[ECOCKS]

The lead sentence of the OP points out that the Dr. Phil show was selectively aired in Russia, hence the propaganda connection.

[Shadow]

(BTW, you would be hard pressed to find an orphanage in America). 

Kind of bad for the 2.8 million orphans...

The problem is, it's usually white families that are doing the adopting who want a white child and there is far more demand from GOOD families then white children available here in the USA (if you are an older white couple then it becomes extremely difficult). 

I would hope bigotry can disqualify a family from adoption.

[Shadow]

The lead sentence of the OP points out that the Dr. Phil show was selectively aired in Russia, hence the propaganda connection.

Correct. There was an update today where it stated there would be a court case next week regarding her custody.

[ECOCKS]

Kind of bad for the 2.8 million orphans...
I would hope bigotry can disqualify a family from adoption.

Wicheese is correct. We don't have many "orphanages" in the US, since there are government programs (with mixed efficiencies) which place orphans very quickly into the homes of the nearest families and (supposedly) pre-checked foster homes. Thus, the "homes" are almost always geared for short-term care rather than long-term state care UNLESS medical conditions exist which make adoption/fostering more challenging. I cannot recall driving past an orphanage in the US within the last 20 years but saw a half-dozen while moving around in Ukraine.

[mrs.Shadow]

The thing is not in "several cases over thousand happy children". Lets not tell here "phew, one guy got frozen in douche though there are thousands that are happy". No any normal mother will tell that.

The Russian point is clear as a blue sky:
First of all the abuses of families were found accidental. And never - by the adoption service control, I duo not know how it calls in America. So from what it comes, the service control tells - everything's ok, after one year the police finds that children were killed (as it was already). The control service tells - everything's ok, the next month such "mother" sends 7 years old child to Russia by plane alone (where was the custom service btw?).

Russian side tells - guys, Americans, either you fix your control service after adoptive families or we will block the adoption possibility. So what? Russia is again guilty?

Lets see what could tell America, if it will find out some Russian mother sending back to America the child with the paper in his school bag "Do not need any more, take him back", the next day - the russian family goes to courts about two american children whom they tortured and then got no any punishment, the next day you hear that Russian "mother" was torturing American child by making him drinking the hot sauce and all that is translating on the National Russian TV as a show.

Will you blame your TV channels for such information? "Do not tell us, everything's ok" ??? Or I do not understand something?

Right now it is the matter of making the REAL control after such families who adopted the Russian child and yes, Russians have all rights to demand from American side such control. While there is no such control, Russia is right to block adoption for Americans.

This blockade is supposed to be until American government will not provide to Russian side the guarantees and possibility to protect the Russian child by Russian side...

[mrs.Shadow]

Russians don't adopt American children because....who cares?

The exact the point why Americans do not understand why Russians react that negative. Above I wrote the example, just turn it differently, the abusive Russian mother and screaming and crying American child adopted by her, sitting defenceless in front of her and swallowing the hot sauce. America will remain silence? Doubt that.

[Gylden]

There are many systems in the US which can be interpreted as being broken or at the least not functioning as planned. This is possibly one of them. It isn't a matter of US bashing, as much as it is a call to try and make assurances/changes that would make it less likely to occur again.

[JR]

The exact the point why Americans do not understand why Russians react that negative. Above I wrote the example, just turn it differently, the abusive Russian mother and screaming and crying American child adopted by her, sitting defenceless in front of her and swallowing the hot sauce. America will remain silence? Doubt that.

BIG DEAL!

You're throwing around hypotheticals....

Of course American's would be incensed if this situation were reversed, the population of any nation should be, but you haven't provided any examples of Russian's adopting American orphans, good, bad or indifferent. So your argument is moot.

What gets me is that you cried over one Russia boy who may or may not have drank some hot sauce and taken a cold shower yet where are your tears for the Child Soldiers of Africa and the their destroyed lives? Not to mention all the innocent lives they have taken? Did you cry for the two hundred or so Russian children who were murdered by those Muslim extremists a few years ago, or are your tears reserved for those savage Americans?

Mrs, Shadow, with all due respect, I think you are being a bit too emotional. You are taking one unsubstantiated incident, adding a couple others and blowing it all out of proportion.

[Jumper]

Until we know the controls actually already in  place, and are shown  a balanced view of them,
from either side.
there is no way to even know if a change would be an improvement .

There is no basis for comparison.

The same sensationalist cases could be made ,
and shown that some people slip through the cracks of the current domestic adoption procedure in both countries.

If they show the REAL procedure ,
for domestic and international adoption,
and show the differences  those procedures ,
and where they might be lacking,
that's   a balanced view that might address the issue.


The fact that people will react emotionally to  senastionalists journalism is certainly not debatable, of course they will, its aonly natural and wha tthe produces i fa TV show i nany country are counting thier $$ on.

That same easily lead public out cry , can be as mislead as it is correctly informed.

I know the procedures my friends went through in adopting in Russia.
My father adopted domestically, and i know what he went through.
 
is it strict enough? i do not know.

I do know that  no matter how strict the procves, there will be cases of a parent being abusive ,or
not disciplining their child in a way that most would approve of.


The only way to know if these outlier cases are reasonably avoidable with  a change in the current system, is to actually KNOW the flaws within the current system.
Realistically they should be compared to the average domestic situation as well.

There is no license or back ground check required to become a parent, when would that be a reasonable case to make? as certainly the potential for abuse is much much  higher than any current countries adoption process.

I'm being tongue in cheek of course.
I have more experience in this matter than some, rest assured you cant just fly into the FSU and pick up a baby.. abuse it, or simply send it back unattended, as is being portrayed.

can it happen? certainly and tragically yes.
People do strange things,
and  there is a need for looking into the process to asure it is up tyo a reasonable standard .
 
jumping to a forgone conclusion that the process is broken from a sensationialist TV piece
is exactly the type of hysteria the TV ratings wanted with this piece and they are not looking out for children ,
but their  own bottom line.
 

[mrs.Shadow]

You're throwing around hypotheticals....

Of course American's would be incensed if this situation were reversed, the population of any nation should be, but you haven't provided any examples of Russian's adopting American orphans, good, bad or indifferent. So your argument is moot.

I do not argue even.
I do tell that if the same situation would be reversed, USA would not sit quietly. Right exactly what Russia does.
And I am telling the exact thing that Russians do not adopt Americans THAT IS WHY Americans cannot understand what made Russians treat negatively the adopt system in America.

I suggested to you to see the situation from Russian side but you cannot do it. Instead of that we all are listening how hypothetical is mrs.Shadow.

As for the Germany I heard here accusations that Russia does not talk about such cases in Germany. Incorrect. Many talks are about Germany adoptive system. But in Germany the reverse situation, they can even remove a child from you because you demand him to wash hands every time after playing outside. The same goes to Finland cases, many. No any cases about Holland and Belgium or France. At least I did not hear.

And on the accusations like "Russians do not adopt children", cmon guys and you think any normal Russian will even continue such "argumentations"? Russians do adopt and adopt a lot.

Yes, such situations spread negative. But instead of accusing Russians in being too emotional and hypothetical better make stronger the control system over the adoptive families. This babies are not only yours citizens they are Russians too and Russia has all rights to be involved in a control. Nothing here to say more. Either Russia has chances to defend her children if its needed or no any adoptions should be.

[ECOCKS]

Serial killers, child rapists, incest, pick a subject to get incensed about. You can find it most everywhere.

I know the orphans are a serious problem in Ukraine and throughout Africa. The population isn't that willing to adopt them. The Russians appear to have the same problem as the Ukrainians and the numbers of orphans and orphanages seems considerably higher given the population differences.

I still see no outrage or concern about the handicapped children who seem to have just disappeared to some kiddie-gulag somewhere in the boonies. Expats and Peace Corps workers tell horror stories of the Ukrainian orphanages they visit outside the big cities which leads me to believe the two I saw up close and in-depth were showcases intended for public viewing, like the model villages and roads they always want the journalists to see and use as stock footage for stories.

Personally, I believe they play on their understanding that Russians see so few things reported honestly that when the few cases occur they present them knowing that the people will figure if one happens and gets reported so quickly and completely it MUST be the norm. We saw the same thing happen with the VAWA and IMBRA situation background and yes, these things happen. Pay attention to how domestic violence in the FSU is treated for some real perspective  on things.

[Blues Fairy]

But instead of accusing Russians in being too emotional and hypothetical better make stronger the control system over the adoptive families. This babies are not only yours citizens they are Russians too and Russia has all rights to be involved in a control.

Where was Russia's oversight when that sick woman got to adopt her boy?

Mrs Shadow, you seem to be proposing to stop ALL adoptions of Russian kids by Americans until a perfect oversight system is installed; do you really not see the full extent of the idiocy of such a proposal?  Do you realize how many kids will miss their chance of a happier life while the bureaucratic machine is figuring out how to improve its processes? (And we all know how efficient they are at that!!)  Besides, should the US alone be responsible for increasing oversight or perhaps Russia should provide some guarantees, too?  How about dealing with domestic corruption that allows foreigners with less-than-perfect record to adopt in Russia through bribes?  How about the decent folks who still have to pay the bribes because it's almost officially expected of them?   

[JR]

I do not argue even.
I do tell that if the same situation would be reversed, USA would not sit quietly. Right exactly what Russia does.
And I am telling the exact thing that Russians do not adopt Americans THAT IS WHY Americans cannot understand what made Russians treat negatively the adopt system in America.

I suggested to you to see the situation from Russian side but you cannot do it. Instead of that we all are listening how hypothetical is mrs.Shadow.

As for the Germany I heard here accusations that Russia does not talk about such cases in Germany. Incorrect. Many talks are about Germany adoptive system. But in Germany the reverse situation, they can even remove a child from you because you demand him to wash hands every time after playing outside. The same goes to Finland cases, many. No any cases about Holland and Belgium or France. At least I did not hear.

And on the accusations like "Russians do not adopt children", cmon guys and you think any normal Russian will even continue such "argumentations"? Russians do adopt and adopt a lot.

Yes, such situations spread negative. But instead of accusing Russians in being too emotional and hypothetical better make stronger the control system over the adoptive families. This babies are not only yours citizens they are Russians too and Russia has all rights to be involved in a control. Nothing here to say more. Either Russia has chances to defend her children if its needed or no any adoptions should be.

reactionary nonsense...where are your examples of Russian adopting American orphans?

Taking a child away from the parents because they expect him to wash his hand? Get real!

Russia has all the chances it needs to control the adoptions, they choose not to care or to spend the money to do so, instead you want someone else to do it. Get over it.

The child was a Russian citizen before he was adopted, Russia didn't give a shit about him then. Now they want to whine about some allegations.

Did you cry for the Beslan School children?

[SFandEE]

I like the idea of Americans being a bit more humble about their nation and how it performs in for example providing for its' children.  Being better is not necessarily good enough.

No political/economic system should be allowed to become so arrogant as to ignore the suffering of its' citizens especially the most helpless.  The law of the jungle has consequences and without a commitment to fundamental values as a society abuse of children will be ongoing as long as it meets the model of capitalistic values--what is the alternative provided by this well run organization?

Perhaps the difficulty of America's bureaucracy to meet the needs of children adopted from other nations will provide the impetus for nations such as Russia and Ukraine to provide a superior solution to the American way of caring for children.  The Chinese are providing a "better" way to manufacture American products, the Mexicans are providing a "better" way to provide labor in the USA, perhaps Russians will find a "better" way to take care of children that need parenting and nurturing.  Money really isn't the sole solution to that problem.  Some value system and morality beyond making a buck seems in order for raising children.

[Steamer]

Some value system and morality beyond making a buck seems in order for raising children.

Well Lah Dee Dah!
Perhaps you could pull your nose off the ceiling long enough to tell us how it's done in your particular Utopia?

[JR]

I like the idea of Americans being a bit more humble about their nation and how it performs in for example providing for its' children.  Being better is not necessarily good enough.

No political/economic system should be allowed to become so arrogant as to ignore the suffering of its' citizens especially the most helpless.  The law of the jungle has consequences and without a commitment to fundamental values as a society abuse of children will be ongoing as long as it meets the model of capitalistic values--what is the alternative provided by this well run organization?

Perhaps the difficulty of America's bureaucracy to meet the needs of children adopted from other nations will provide the impetus for nations such as Russia and Ukraine to provide a superior solution to the American way of caring for children.  The Chinese are providing a "better" way to manufacture American products, the Mexicans are providing a "better" way to provide labor in the USA, perhaps Russians will find a "better" way to take care of children that need parenting and nurturing.  Money really isn't the sole solution to that problem.  Some value system and morality beyond making a buck seems in order for raising children.

What a load of the stuff that comes out of the south end of a north bound horse!

[SFandEE]

I think it is possible that Russia might use a more nationalized approach as false solutions provided by outsourcing to America are proven to be inadequate.  Russia has less debt, Russia has the ability to nationalize and act better in the individual interest than a capitalist/democracy, if they decide they will provide for their orphans better than what is currently being done, I believe they have the ability to do so.

Certainly better than a crazy woman in Tennessee. 

I am sure those who think this is too utopian believe this to be the case for other nations and systems apart from orphans.  Let them figure it out on their own right?  HIV, poverty, drugs, war, resources---orphans.

[ECOCKS]

Oh jeez.....

[Boethius]

It's not just one case from Tennessee.

VIKTOR MATTHEY (born Viktor Sergeivich Tulimov)

Age 6, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Died October 31, 2000 of cardiac arrest due to hypothermia after adoptive parents Robert and Brenda Matthey locked him overnight in a damp unheated pump room; also suffered over 40 cuts, scrapes, bruises and untreated fractures. Robert Matthey admitted beating Viktor with an aluminum baseball bat, a belt, 2 whips, and his open hand. Jury acquitted the couple on evidence tampering charges; deadlocked on manslaughter charges, but convicted them of lesser abuse charges.

LUKE EVANS (birth name unknown)

Age 1.5, Lowell, Indiana. Died November 30, 2001 of massive head injuries, shaken baby syndrome, and poor nutrition. He may have been developmentally delayed.Adoptive mother Natalie Fabian Evans, 33, claimed she couldn't wake Luke in the morning, and took him to the bathtub where she planned to place him in water to "stimulate him." Says he "may" have bumped his head on the tub. Local prosecutors took over a year to file charges because they wanted to be sure about the medical evidence. On June 30, 2006 Fabian Evans was found not guilty of murder, battery and neglect of a dependent after a doctor for the defense convinced a jury that Luke could have had "bleeding in his brain for days prior to the day" he was found unresponsive in his crib. Luke was adopted with an unrelated boy from his orphanage who was living at the time of Luke's death, with a relative of Natalie Evans.

JACOB LINDORFF, (birth name unknown)

Age 5, Gloucester Twp., New Jersey. Died December 14, 2001 of blunt force trauma to head. Also suffered from 2nd degree burns on feet, hemorrhaging in 1 eye; bruises, and seizures. Adoptive mother Heather Lindorff, 36, was found guilty of 2nd degree endangering, aggravated assault and sentenced to 6 years. She claimed the injuries were accidents and begged judge not to separate her from her family. Adoptive father, James, 54, sentenced to 4 years probation and 400 hours of community service for child abuse. Couple also adopted 3 bio-sisters from Russia, Jacob was one of a fraternal twins; placed with the Lindorffs only 18 months after the sisters arrived. The remaining children were placed with Heather Lindorff's mother, Mildred Culllinan. In May 2004, Heather Lindorff was released on appeal bond and ordered not to visit children without supervision. That same month DYFS learned that children were back living with Lindorffs. Medical examinations found four children were malnourished, abused, and neglected.

DAVID POLREIS JR.(Konstantin Shlepin)

Age 2, Greeley, Colorado.  Beaten to death. Over 90% of David's body was covered in cuts, which his adoptive mother, Renee Polreis, claimed was due to the boys severe RAD.

ZACHARY HIGIER (born Nikita Khoryakovont)

Age 2, Braintree, Massachusetts. Died August 15, 2002 of severe trauma to the head. Adoptive mother Natalia Higier, 47 claimed he fell out of his crib or hit his head on the kitchen floor, but doctors said injuries were consistent with falling out of a 3-story building. Jacob had a bilateral skull fracture, a massive stroke on the right side of his brain, a smaller stroke on left side, brain swelling and detached retinas. Later Higier said she was tossing him in the air when he hit his head on the coffee table. Husband not charged; couple now divorced. Higier pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in jail, with 18 months balance of sentence suspended for 4 years; also required to attend anger management classes. The Higiers had a history of domestic violence and restraining orders against each other.  Zachary was adopted from Orenburg Region.

MARIA ANASTASIA BENNETT, (birth name unknown)

Age 2, Lancaster, Ohio. Died October 23, 2002 of Shaken Baby Syndrome. She died at Columbus Children's Hospital four days after her adoptive mother Susan Jane Bennett, 41 claimed that she tripped while carrying Maria from the bathroom to a bedroom, dropping her backwards causing her head to hit floor. Medical evidence indicated fatal head wounds and eye injuries could not be caused by such a drop. Bennett pled no contest to 1 count of reckless homicide. She originally faced 8 years in prison. Prosecutors recommended 4 years, but said they would not oppose probation after 2 years served. Bennett was sentenced to 3 years. Bennett, adopted another child, Sarah, a year earlier from the same orphanage. At last report, Sarah is in the custody of Bennett's relatives. Maria was adopted from Ussurisk near Vladivostok in US for 9 months.

JESSICA ALBINA HAGMANN (birth name unknown)

Age 2 years, 7 months, Prince William County, Virginia. Died August 11, 2003 of mechanical asphyxia due to compression against an adult: lack of blood and oxygen. Adoptive mother Patrice Lynn Hagmann, 35, claimed Jessica was prone to tantrums that lasted as long as three hours and beat her head in crib. Autopsy indicated Jessica weighed only 27 pounds when she died . She was covered with bruises including five 'purplish' bruises near her right eye, seven on her forehead, two on her scalp, and one each on both cheeks; also a healing lesion on one palm and bruises on her upper body, leg back one on her abdominal area. Hagmann’s defense argued that she used “holding therapy” to “calm.” Jessica. The book, Help for the Helpless Child.* was seized from home by police. Adoptive father Glenn Hagmann not implicated in death. The couple had a biological son, 3, who at the time of the trial was living with Patrice’s mother. In December 2003 Hagmann took an Alford plea (pleading no contest, without acknowledging guilt). Prosecutors recommended 14 years in prison, In January 2004 the court sentenced her to five years for each charge, suspended dependent on five years probation. Jessica was adopted from Moscow. Time in US: 8 months.

LIAM DMITRY THOMPSON (born Dmitry Sergeyevich Ishlankulov)

Age 3, Galloway, Ohio. Died October 16, 2003 at Columbus Doctors Hospital West of scalding and neglect. Five days earlier, adoptive father, Gary Allen Thompson, put Liam in a bathtub of 140 degree water causing 2nd and 3rd degree burns; skin peeled off legs. Instead of seeking treatment Thompson put him on a crib mattress in an unheated basement. Adoptive mother, LPN Amy Lyna Thompson, whose diary revealed she didn't like Liam or his adopted sister, failed to notice the seriousness of burns for 2 days, then treated him with Tylenol and Vaseline. Liam was taken to the hospital only when he went into respitory failure. Autopsy revealed severe burns on both legs, right arm, back, and buttocks; bruises on neck, right side of upper lip, right eye, both cheeks and forehead. The official cause of death is listed as "thermal injuries."Amy Thompson pled guilty to child endangering and involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 14 years in prison and is still incarcerated. Gary Thompson pled guilty to murder and was sentenced to 15-life. Amy Thompson's daughter from her previous marriagewas last reported in foster care; the Thompsons' biological son lives with relatives; and the daughter they adopted with Liam, has been adopted by a local couple.  Liam was adopted from Blagoveshchensk; in US 5 months.

ALEX PAVLIS (born Alex Geiko)

Age 6, Schaumburg, Illinois. Died December 19, 2003 of severe beating. Adoptive mother Irma Pavlis admitted to punching Alex hard in the stomach and slapping him. She said he was mentally unstable and suicidal; defense lawyer argued his behavior which included banging his head in walls and urinating and defecating through the house were caused by Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, which the Pavlis' were unaware of when they adopted Alex. Husband Dino Pavlis was not charged. Irma Pavlis sentenced to 12 years for involuntary manslaughter, paroled out of state in March 2008. Alex was adopted with his younger sister last reported in foster care.

DENNIS GENE MERRYMAN, born Denis Uritsky,

Age 8, Harford County, Maryland. Died January 22, 2005 of cardiac arrest brought on by starvation; weighed 37 pounds, 2 pounds less than when doctors examined him in October 2000. Medical examiner could find no underlying conditions and ruled death a homicide. Adoptive father Samuel Merryman, 37, and adoptive mother Donna Merryman, 42, arrested on August 3, 2005 and charged with manslaughter, 1st degree child abuse resulting in death, and reckless endangerment. Samuel Merryman's parents posted a property bond of $50,000 for each. Merryman's mother, Olivia, claims that despite cororner's findings, Dennis suffered from cystic fibrosis, digestive problems and "may have had other problems."  On April 17, 2008 they were each sentenced to 22 years in prison and are currently incarcerated.  Dennis was adopted from Ochery in the Perm Region with 1 older biological brother and 2 older biological sisters, all with medical problems discovered after adoptions.  Alex was adopted from Yeysk; in US 6 weeks.