TOMILINO, Moscow Region — The Russian children's rights ombudsman says he wants an American woman who sent her young adopted son back to Russia to testify in a Moscow court.
Torry Hansen was living in Shelbyville, Tennessee in April 2010 when she sent her then-7-year-old son on a plane alone back to Moscow with a note that said the boy was violent and she no longer wanted to keep him.
A Tennessee judge ruled last month that Hansen is liable for child support in a lawsuit brought by her former adoption agency.
Pavel Astakhov said Thursday that he would like Hansen, who has sued him in a Moscow court, to testify at a hearing scheduled for next month.
Astakhov says the boy now lives in a private orphanage that spends the equivalent of about $2,300 a month on his housing and "psychological correction."
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
