This article, “Why is race still a factor in adoption?” was recently brought to my attention.

The story was recently published in the Philadelphia Inquirer and tells a heartbreaking story about a three year-old African American foster child named Kevin, who had been living with the same foster couple for two years. The couple, who are the only mom and dad that Kevin can remember, were planning on adopting him. Oh, and they are white.

Without warning, county officials and police entered the home and removed the child, who of course was crying and scared. He was placed with another family, of who little is known other than the fact that they are black. Could you even for a second imagine what it would be like for your child to be dragged out of your home by police? Can you even guess how that child would be feeling?

The county officials claimed they were removing the child because the laws did not allow a couple to adopt two unrelated children in the same year, and the couple had already legally adopted a niece that year, but many supporting the family were quick to point out that officials could easily have left Kevin in foster care with the family he knows and loves until the year period was up and the adoption could be finalized.

The officials’ unwillingness to compromise or even discuss the issue has left many outraged and convinced that racial issues are to blame. And of course, while the couple is suffering the loss of a child that they have loved and cared for and planned to have a part of their family forever, it is little Kevin who is truly suffering.

This poor little boy was taken by strangers, while he was scared and crying, put in a car and “delivered” to a new family, whom he had never met. Do you think he cared that this new couple happened to have the same color skin as him? I am guessing that all he really cared about what getting back to the family he loved and knew as his own…his Mom, his Dad, his sister, etc. I am guessing that he wanted his familiar room, his bed, his toys, his bathtub, his schedule…his life. The benefits that he may have some day from being raised in an African-American family are far outweighed in my opinion by the trauma that will be with him from being ripped away from a loving and secure family.

It is worth noting that Kevin’s biological grandmother, who was interviewed, stated that she felt the child should be returned to the white couple that has been loving him and caring for him because they were a good family for him and they loved and supported him.

I think it is wonderful when same-race placements can be made, but are there not enough black children waiting in foster care that these officials could not have placed a different child with the other couple? Was it really necessary to disturb and disrupt one foster child who was truly loved and happy? Are there not few enough happy endings for foster kids as it is without officials purposely changing a would-be happy story?


You can visit Bring Kevin Home to let your voice by heard on the matter.