Internet Adoption Advertising — Beware

Prospective adoptive parents and expectant mothers are sometimes tempted to use the internet to create an adoption plans for children (put their “baby up for adoption”).

The Indiana Code and the cases interpreting those statutes specify the procedures and requirements which must be followed in order adopt a child. Failure to precisely follow the statutory requirements subjects the adoptive parents to having the adoption challenged. The disappointment a family suffers in not being able to adopt a child pales in comparison to the heart ache of having a child taken from their care.

Likewise, expectant mothers trying to provide a safe, secure, loving home for their precious babies must be careful that they are not putting their children in danger by assuming that because a “family” has a pretty website, they are qualified to adopt or that they are even the people they portray themselves to be.