American adoption of deceased Russian boy's brother ruled illegal
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 23 December 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, American adoption of deceased Russian boy's brother ruled illegal, 23 December 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/52e65a3914.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
December 23, 2013
Three-year-old Max Shatto's adoptive parents were not charged with any wrongdoing in his death.
A court in Russia's northwestern region of Pskov has declared illegal the adoption of a deceased boy's brother by an American couple.
The court also ruled on December 23 that Kirill Kuzmin must be returned to the Pskov orphanage and foster agency for possible adoption by a Russian family or return to his mother.
Kirill Kuzmin, who is officially known now as Kristopher Shatto, and his brother Maksim Kuzmin, whose name was changed to Max Shatto, were adopted by the Shatto family from Texas last year.
The death of Max Shatto in January caused a furor in Russia, where officials accused the child's adoptive mother of drugging and "murdering" him.
However, officials in Texas have ruled the death of the 3-year-old Russian adoptee to be accidental and due to self-inflicted wounds.
Based on reporting by Interfax and RIA Novosti
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
