Moscow slams US decision in death of Russian boy
Source: Agencies |
March 20, 2013, Wednesday
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RUSSIA yesterday criticized a decision by US authorities not to file charges against the adoptive parents of a Russian-born boy whose death in January was seized on in Moscow as justification for a ban on adoptions by Americans.
The death of three-year-old Max Shatto led to criminal and child welfare investigations in the state of Texas, where he died. Russia has also opened an inquiry.
Lawmakers in Moscow called for his younger brother to be returned to Russia.
Tensions between the US and Russia have risen since Vladimir Putin returned to the presidency last May.
Max Shatto's death added to the tension. Russia's child rights ombudsman aired suspicions of foul play and lawmakers demanded the return of his brother Kris, who was also adopted by Laura and Alan Shatto, to Russia.
But a US district attorney said on Monday the couple would not face criminal charges over the death of the boy, who is referred to in Russia by his original name, Maxim Kuzmin. Kris Shatto was born Kirill Kuzmin.
"The decision by the authorities of the state of Texas not to press charges against the Shattos in regard to the tragic death of Maxim Kuzmin raises serious questions," Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
"Unfortunately, the incident falls into the overall trend of leniency of law enforcement officials and courts in the United States ... toward American adoptive parents, through whose fault children from Russia die."
A grand jury determined there was no evidence the Shattos had committed any crime, Ector County District Attorney Bobby Bland said. The boy's death "was the result of a tragic accident occurring most likely on playground equipment."
A ruling was made by the Ector County Medical Examiner earlier this month that Max's death from a torn artery in his abdomen was not intentional, and that bruises on his body were the result of self-inflicted wounds.
Laura Shatto told investigators she was with the boys as they were playing in the backyard of their home in Gardendale, Texas, on January 17.
She said she found the boy unconscious after she went briefly inside. He died in a nearby hospital.
"It turns out that the child died, but his adoptive parents are not guilty," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in wording that suggested doubt. "Moreover, they try to convince us that the injuries which killed him were inflicted by himself."
The death of three-year-old Max Shatto led to criminal and child welfare investigations in the state of Texas, where he died. Russia has also opened an inquiry.
Lawmakers in Moscow called for his younger brother to be returned to Russia.
Tensions between the US and Russia have risen since Vladimir Putin returned to the presidency last May.
Max Shatto's death added to the tension. Russia's child rights ombudsman aired suspicions of foul play and lawmakers demanded the return of his brother Kris, who was also adopted by Laura and Alan Shatto, to Russia.
But a US district attorney said on Monday the couple would not face criminal charges over the death of the boy, who is referred to in Russia by his original name, Maxim Kuzmin. Kris Shatto was born Kirill Kuzmin.
"The decision by the authorities of the state of Texas not to press charges against the Shattos in regard to the tragic death of Maxim Kuzmin raises serious questions," Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
"Unfortunately, the incident falls into the overall trend of leniency of law enforcement officials and courts in the United States ... toward American adoptive parents, through whose fault children from Russia die."
A grand jury determined there was no evidence the Shattos had committed any crime, Ector County District Attorney Bobby Bland said. The boy's death "was the result of a tragic accident occurring most likely on playground equipment."
A ruling was made by the Ector County Medical Examiner earlier this month that Max's death from a torn artery in his abdomen was not intentional, and that bruises on his body were the result of self-inflicted wounds.
Laura Shatto told investigators she was with the boys as they were playing in the backyard of their home in Gardendale, Texas, on January 17.
She said she found the boy unconscious after she went briefly inside. He died in a nearby hospital.
"It turns out that the child died, but his adoptive parents are not guilty," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in wording that suggested doubt. "Moreover, they try to convince us that the injuries which killed him were inflicted by himself."
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