Refusal to Unseal Adoption Records

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Iowa. Stop being weird.
Focus on adoptees who need to know.

A refusal to unseal adoption records by a judge in Iowa leaves an adoptee with no recourse.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-and-courts/2016/03/11/iowa-supreme-court-denies-alcoholic-woman-seeking-open-adoption-record/81664750/

Above is a link to a news story that will break your heart. Or maybe just make you swear a blue streak. The judge’s refusal to unseal adoption records for mental health reasons is just plain cruel.

Thirty-some years ago I begged the agency that handled my son’s adoption to help me. Begged. And was I shown no mercy. I petitioned the court to no avail. No mercy there either. I had medical reasons for wanting to contact my 20-year-old son. Two of my doctors wrote letters on my behalf. I shared them with the agency and with the court. Nothing. The agency made excuses. The court claimed there was no record of the adoption.

That was then. And sadly, it’s also very now.

If you’re interested in a state-by state summary of the fight for unsealing adoption records go HERE.


1 thought on “Refusal to Unseal Adoption Records

  1. Scott Scherrman

    Hi Denise,
    I hope you remember me. I was looking up an obituary for my sister-in-laws mother. I decided to peruse the obits for remembered names and found your mother’s. I’m very sorry for your loss but I was happy to see your name. A quick search brought me to your extremely well written and heart felt book “Birth Mother” Now I know what happened to my old friend Speedy. If you ever want to catch up with a fellow Californian with the same roots please send me an e-mail at. I would love to hear from you. You hold a special place in my memories.
    Thanks for the wonderful book,
    Scott

    Reply

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