A husband and wife who are Ukrainian citizens and live in the US recently had their parental rights terminated for child abuse. Their children are dual citizens (American and Ukraine). It looks like the parental rights were terminated before the Ukrainian embassy was notified. Parents are going to appeal.

A Kent County judge terminated the parental rights of Marina Ivanova on Friday along with those of her ex-husband.

In September of 2004, police say they found Ivanova's 3-year-old daughter and 23-month-old son tied up in a trash-filled apartment. Ivanova plead guilty to two counts of second degree child abuse and was given probation.

From: Parental rights terminated: Ivanova to appeal

The Hickein family have adopted 3 children from Ukraine. And it looks like they are going back for 1 more.

''We always dreamed of having a big family,'' Maria says. 'When I inherited some money, we said, `We can buy a Mercedes-Benz or we can invest in the family we have always dreamed of.' ''

Today, the couple are parents to Katrina, 8, Maria, 7, and John Mark, 4 -- all adopted from the Ukraine.


From: Maria and Mark Hickein

Jury Ichtiarow, led Ukrainian party and had a very interesting life. He survived WWII and moved to the US. Then he fought to free Ukraine from the Soviet Union.



Jamie is a college student and blogs. She baby-sits for a family who are adopting from Ukraine. She is a little confused about the Ukrainian adoption process. I found the timeline interesting.

GOOD NEWS though--- the family i work for is going to be adopting another kid soon, a little girl, and she's from the Ukraine. ......... they invited me with them to get their little girl.

....................

so this would be between 20 and 35 days in eastern europe, in a small flat that is no where near a "touristy" location, trying to survive with a 5 year old and new 1-3 year old who speaks, but not in english. i would act as another pair of hands and another set of eyes to make sure everyone stays together and as undramatic as possible.


here's the catch (one of..) it would be any time between August 20th and October 20th more than likely, but they won't know the date of their appointment until 30 days beforehand. so that means 30 days to find flights at a less than reasonable price, and 30 days before i would know when i'd actually be out of the country......


From: Ukraine May 13, 2006 blog

An older mom adopting from Ukraine... I am assuming that her dossier is registered and approved already. And she like hundreds of other families are waiting for the SDA to start issuing appointments.

Maria Hickein, a new grandmother, is turning 50 this summer. The former singer, born in Cuba, raised in Spain and now living in Coral Gables, is planning to mark the milestone with her fourth child from the Ukraine.

Adoption: Parenthood after 40 brings rewards