I relinquished my newborn son, "JOE," to my maternal aunt/uncle 5 yrs. ago - on the expressed condition that this was an OPEN adoption.
Since then, I've enjoyed frequent and consistent face-to-face/written contact with Joe and his/my family - until recently.
Under pressure from Joe's adoptive parents (again, my aunt and uncle) to "trust them," I made the mistake of confiding that my own parents had physically/verbally abused me.
My aunt and uncle reacted (perhaps predictably) to this "news" with violent anger themselves. They accused me of being a pathological liar, on drugs, capable of violence, etc. They defamed me to my extended family, one of whom is a prominent local judge. They then rescinded my access - ANY access - to Joe. I'm terrified my absence will be detrimental to Joe. I've been too big a part of his life, for too long, to simply disappear now.
In order to be apprised of my rights, I recently made an official request to view the adoption record. (I was never provided a copy, and, perhaps naively, never thought it necessary - until now.) I just received notice of a HEARING (March 1, 2006) to process this request.
Specifically, how can I prepare for the hearing? (NO IDEA what to expect.)
Generally, how do I hold my aunt and uncle to our verbal contract, when they refuse to speak to me??
Since then, I've enjoyed frequent and consistent face-to-face/written contact with Joe and his/my family - until recently.
Under pressure from Joe's adoptive parents (again, my aunt and uncle) to "trust them," I made the mistake of confiding that my own parents had physically/verbally abused me.
My aunt and uncle reacted (perhaps predictably) to this "news" with violent anger themselves. They accused me of being a pathological liar, on drugs, capable of violence, etc. They defamed me to my extended family, one of whom is a prominent local judge. They then rescinded my access - ANY access - to Joe. I'm terrified my absence will be detrimental to Joe. I've been too big a part of his life, for too long, to simply disappear now.
In order to be apprised of my rights, I recently made an official request to view the adoption record. (I was never provided a copy, and, perhaps naively, never thought it necessary - until now.) I just received notice of a HEARING (March 1, 2006) to process this request.
Specifically, how can I prepare for the hearing? (NO IDEA what to expect.)
Generally, how do I hold my aunt and uncle to our verbal contract, when they refuse to speak to me??
Last edited:
