Where does one draw the line? In Ohio you do not have to be 18 or have the permission (much less knowledge) of your parents to place a child for adoption.

I find this very troubling.

A recent article with the Beacon Journal tells the story of 17 year old Stephanie Bennett who gave birth to a daughter she named Evelyn JoAnn Bennett on April 17th, 2006. In early September the girl is said to have approached her guidance counselor about placing her baby for adoption. She did not what her parents to know. It goes on to detail how the school counselor may have arranged a meeting between the girl and a nearby high profile adoption agency taking place on school grounds. It is also alleged that the agency may have encouraged the young girl to run away from home so she would be able to sign adoption papers without her parent’s knowledge. Stephanie did run away, her poster remains at Ohio’s missing children’s clearinghouse. The baby was placed in September. Once Stephanie returned home and her parents learned what had happened they filed papers with the court to obtain custody of the baby. The court granted Stephanie’s family temporary custody. Currently baby Evelyn’s location is not known by Stephanie Bennett and her family according to the story, and she and her family have filed an affidavit to contest the adoption.

I just know as a mom there is no way I would want my child doing something so life altering as placing a baby for adoption without my knowledge. It just seems very immoral and unethical that the law allows it. Other people are basically making decisions with a minor child (the mother) over whom they have no legal responsibility. Doesn’t that infringe on the rights of the minor’s parents to guide and be involved in decisions made concerning that minor?

Well it is just more than enough to make my head spin (whir whirrrrrrrrrrr)


Should be noted. . . That while in this particular case I felt that the family was wronged by the actions of the adoption agency, I do NOT support the "Blog-Blitz" that was created by "Origins" to use this case as an example held up against adoption in general. I noted later that they actually use this post as a part of their "Blog Blitz" but in no way did I agree to participate and I do not agree personally with the agenda of "Origins" and the extreme anti-adoption reform movement.