Adoption for older children?

Question

First off, do not misinterpret my meaning before you read the entire narrative.

In light of the recent loss of the child in Portugal belonging to the English parents, made me think of children that were murdered by their parents. I am in no way implicating the parents in this case but brings me to this question.

I know that one can put a child up for adoption at the time of birth, but can one put a child up for adoption when the child is 4 years old? Certainly children can be removed by Children and Family Services for abuse, but what if a parent just doesn't want a child of 4 years old? Can they give the child over to an agency for adoption without being charged with abuse or any other thing that would make the parent subject to criminal charges?

I bring up this subject because we hear about a parent being found guilty of murder of their children. Could they just give up that child and avoid such a unspeakable crime? Is there a way out for a parent that just doesn't want a child?

Answer 1

yes, you can place your child for adoption at anytime. When we were adopting we were presented to a birthmother that was placing her 3 year old for adoption, we were also presented to a monther of a 4 year old.  We also took care of a six month old baby while a birthmother selected a family for the baby girl.

Answer 2

Yes you can legally sign away your rights to an older child and put them up for adoption.  You can even do open adoptions with older children.  This wouldn't stop any cases of abuse or other illegal activities though because the crime would still have been commited.

Answer 3

think you can but its really going ot mess the kid up but its better to be in a home where hes loved then hated. its really sad cause this kid could get hurt and yes i do feel it could go be adopted out.

Answer 4

i would think you could i know you  can drop your baby at the hospital no questions asked.....it should be an option tho

Answer 5

Your answer is yes,you can put a child up for adoption at age 4-5.Yes,their is an option for a parent that just doesn't want a child You can call children and family services and be honest with them,without incurring any wrath.After all,everybody wants what is RIGHT for the CHILD.Being I do not know exactly what the problem is...I would wonder if any immediate family member would be willing to adopt the child?As far as 'murder' goes,the answer is No!Murder is murder and you cannot escape justice in a case like that,they could be found mentally ill,however they would still be sent away.Giving up a child is never easy,its devastating,however if your doing this for the right reasons,it can be done.

Answer 6

Yes, I have a friend who's sister placed her 2 and 4 year old boys for adoption years ago.

However, I think that in the cases where parents murder their children it's not just that they don't want their child anymore, but has to do with control, abuse and the parent just "snapping"one day.

Answer 7

Yes, a parent can decide to make a plan of adoption for a child who is 4 or who is any age without being charged with neglect or abandonment.  I am aware of parents contacting adoption agencies about placing their older child (and some had more than one child) for adoption.  The ages ranged from 1 - 4.

It is a difficult decision for the parent to make.  Some thought about placing the child for adoption before the child was born but changed their mind and decided to parent.  Then, after parenting, they felt that they could not give the child what the child needed or felt that they were not ready to be parents so the contacted the adoption agency or local child welfare agency.

Placing an older child for adoption is also a difficult on the child because of course the child knows who his or her parent is.

But, if the stress of parenting proves to be too much, adoption is a better decision than harming, neglecting, or murdering the child.