The changes in the adoption law in Singapore garnered positive reactions from couples hoping to adopt or foster children. A French couple, permanent residents of Singapore, adopted a local child only to be taken away after ten days. They now react to the recent changes in the protocols for adopting or fostering children.
In this article, you’ll read:
- Adoptive Parents’ “Greatest Joy” Turned Into a Devastating Ordeal
- The Couple Recounted a Heartbreaking Adoption Experience
- Adoption Law Law to Fine and Jail Offenders
Adoptive Parents’ “Greatest Joy” Turned Into a Devastating Ordeal
About four years ago, Mr Christiphe Montane adopted a child in Singapore and warmly welcomed the baby to his family. However, they had the infant taken away after just ten days.
Mr Montane emotionally recalled the events that transpired. Despite being French, he and his wife now permanently reside in Singapore. They have lived in the country for more than eight years. Mr Montane and his wife went through months of applications and a home study to qualify for adoption.
Additionally. the newborn lived with the French couple before the adoption became formal. According to Mr Montane, they considered the baby as their “greatest joy.” He was so excited to spend time with the child that he did not think much about the paperwork.
After five days, the child’s biological mum reached out to Mr Montane. She told him about a “problem” with the payments to the hospital where she gave birth. At that time, the couple helped the mum with her bills, unaware of the events to come.
The Couple Recounted a Heartbreaking Adoption Experience
The baby’s birth mother eventually bombarded the couple with several messages. The adoption agency also tried to get them to pay additional fees, but they refused. Because of this, the child’s birth mum threatened the couple. She said she would go to the police if they did not “return” the baby.
Left with no choice, Mr Montane and his wife reluctantly returned the adopted baby. He also speculated that the child was “sold” to another family.
Fortunately, the French couple got the chance to adopt another child after their ordeal. However, they still consider the experience as something he would not “wish on my worst enemy.”
Mr Montane said, “We’ve never had a greater trauma than this one. It was the most tragic experience of our lives.”
Reporting the Incident to Authorities
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The couple eventually filed a police report. They wrote a complaint about the adoption agency to the Ministry of Social and Family Affairs (MSF).
Mr Montane also informed MSF of other similar incidents. He said that he got in touch with other families with the same experiences in adoption.
“As we speak, kids are still being sold as merchandise in Singapore. They are offered no stability for months before the ‘best’ transaction is concluded,” Mr Montane wrote.
Mr Montane hopes that changes to the adoption law help prevent what he and other prospective parents experienced.
“I’m glad that it’s taken very seriously by the Singapore Government,” he said. “Hopefully, it’s not going to be good intention only, but it’s going to be time for … enforcement.” “And it’s the time for … sanctioning agencies and any other fraudulent person,” he added.
Parliament proposed the recent amendments to the Adoption of Children Act. It aims to address these specific and other related issues.
Changes in the adoption law aim to ensure that adoption agencies need to publish their fees in a transparent manner. The MSF says every adoption agency must make a public ledger that indicates every monetary transaction of the process. Afterwards, the permitted payments become legislated to ensure that adoption agencies only charge for reasonable items.
Adoption Law to Fine and Jail Offenders
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At present, proposed laws that grant authorities the decision to fine and jail offenders who flaunt regulations.
Under the new adoption law, authorised officers can enforce the new offences proposed under the Act. Criminal offences under the amended Act include using fraud, coercion, and undue influence. Aside from that are other improper means to obtain birth parents’ consent to the adoption.
Prospective adopters may commit an offence if they reside with an unrelated child. During the process, the child must not spend time with the interested couple before being preliminarily assessed.
Other offences include false or misleading information to authorised agencies. Also, the Guardian-in-Adoption – is a public officer appointed by the minister under the Adoption of Children Act.
The Ministry of Social and Family Affairs said that the commercial adoption agencies are not directly regulated today. However, people must still comply with all of Singapore’s laws, including laws against the trafficking of children.
The MSF spokesperson said, “Criminalising undesirable behaviours in the adoption sector is a step in strengthening and ensuring the integrity of the adoption sector and its practices.”
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