TN Foster adoption in 2005 - how to get info ?

Question

There was a sibling group adopted out of foster care in 2005- state TN. I only have the children's first names, photos, and birthdates. No last name. How can I search to see who adopted them? Thank you!!

Answer 1

I would think that you could talk to the caseworker that you were working with at the time.  Telll the caseworker that you would just like to say hi, send a card, that type of thing.  Ask the caseworker if they would be comfortable discussing this with the adoptive family and see how the family feels about this.  I think it would ulimately be up to the family if they would like the children to have any contact with you.  However, if you were a former foster parent or friend (which I am assuming since you almost adopted them) I would hope that the family would allow you to have contact.  I am a foster parent who is planning to adopt, and I know that I would let former foster parents or friends have contact with the children if they were a positive influence for the children.  

I think that it is very sad that you were unable to adopt them due to circumstances.  That must have been difficult.  Glad that it did not keep you from adopting!

Answer 2

Unless you can remember the Caseworker you or they worked with at the time, it is impossible to find them.  All of this information is confidential.

I personally believe the best way to honor these children, if you cannot find them through their Caseworker, is to parent your new child as well as you can!

Good luck to you!

Answer 3

DO YOU HAVE THEIR BIRTH DATES? EMAIL ME AT [e-mail]

Answer 4

You should be able to contact your worker or theirs. Maybe even just the general information line to point to you in the direction of the adoption worker. Leave a message for the adoption worker telling him/her that you would like to send a card to the children, and you don't know who adopted them.

The adoption worker with then get in touch with the parents, and will ask if it's okay for you to send a card. If so, you will send it to the adoption worker, and they will send it in on to the family.

Answer 5

I would call the state's child protective services.  If you don't have their last names, though, I doubt that you will be given the information: you probably need to be closely related.  

P.S.  If you don't even know these kids last names, why are you attempting to delve into such private records?

Answer 6

That information will not be made public, for the privacy of the children and the new family.  

It would be a very dangerous scenario if such information was available, as you would have disgruntled birth parents harassing and stalking adoptive families.

EDITED TO ADD: I do not think that YOU are harassing or stalking them, but if that information were publicly available then the families would be susceptible to such.  I am sure you can understand that the policy is in effect for the safety of the children and their new family.  

Since you were in the process of adopting them, you might be able to contact the caseworker and get an update on them-without identifying information, of course.

I hope that this information helps you, and I do wish you the best in finding out if they are doing well.  Again, I was not implying that you would pose a threat, only that it is a possibility so such information is not public record.