Italian couple adopts child with special needs from Davanagere

DAVANAGERE: A special-needs child from Amulya Orphanage in Davanagere will soon join his adoptive family in Italy, marking the tenth international adoption from the facility.

The child's adoptive parents were chosen through Central Adoption Resource Authority's (CARA) selection process after his teenage biological mother expressed her inability to raise him.

Tarun, 3, with walking disabilities, will be transferred to his adoptive parents through DC G M Gangadharswamy on May 13.

T N Kavitha, the district child protection officer, said: "Govt-specialised adoption agency Amulya Kendra, Davangere, rceives legally free adoption (LFA) recommendations from the district child welfare committee in keeping with rules for orphaned, abandoned, and surrendered children."

The officer further said: "A 19-year-old unwed mother had surrendered Tarun about three years ago. When the Italian couple showed interest in adopting him, we completed the formalities." The couple had satisfied all adoption criteria.

While law prohibits direct adoptions, the process is based on an assessment of prospective parents' health, psychological well-being, social standing, and financial capability.

Post-adoption monitoring continues for two years with quarterly welfare updates.

CARA supervises all adoption procedures and thoroughly evaluates international applicants for adoptions. The process usually takes six months.

The district's adoption centre, active for the last 13 years, has documented 212 children for adoption. Among these, 54 have reunited with their biological families, while 25 didn't survive due to health issues.

Abandoned infants are often rescued from public places. The Chigateri District Hospital's 'Cradle of Love' has received many such children. The District Child Protection Unit takes care of the children until they become eligible for legal adoption.