I can't help but wonder how this will play out, legally. Maria was born in Greece. Does that mean Greece will retain jurisdiction? Or will Bulgaria because bio-Mom resides in Bulgaria? Or, because both families are Roma, are there additional considerations legally, such as neither being considered a legal resident of their respective countries? Both families have legal charges pending. Both have issues with the 'fathers' (one charged/tried? for armed robbery and the other 'mental illness'). Is Bulgaria Dad the proven bio-Dad?
The video posted up thread with bio-Mom, husband, and two young kids was hard to watch. 'Dad' seemed more interested in some schmutz on his pant leg than helping with the squalling, scared kids. The blonde child clearly has an eye problem (common w/albinism). It's all so tough to fathom. For me.
"A woman came to me and said she was Bulgarian not Greek. She told me if I wanted she would take care of my baby and that I could come back and collect her later," Ruseva said.
"I have no clue what her name was. I did not ask and she did not say. That woman said leave your girl here and I'll take care of like I was her mother. I trusted her," Ruseva said.
I think it has been said in the media that both were tested. I think that for a conclusive test you would need both. You can read a basic explanation of how it is done DNA profiling - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
If the lady in the video of Maria learning the dance as a toddler was the adoptive mom, then she most likely had her from the beginning. She looks like a proud smiling mom, and the bio mom already stated that she recognized this woman on tv. There has to be aunts and maybe a still living MIL that Maria could stay with in Greece. If Greece or Bulgaria allows family of non Roma to care for kids then they should try to find a relative to care for her. One that is not so poor they have no food or clothes. The thing of Roma taking in other Roma kids could simply be their form of foster care because of poverty. No way do I believe that the little terrified crying skinny bio mom kept having a bunch of kids just to sell for money.
Heartbreaking story all around. This woman 's story has the ring of truth imo.
Wish her husband would lift a hand to help with those crying children while the birth mom, tries to give a tv interview. he looks very well fed. imo.
Bulgaria to seek Maria's return from Greece
http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite1_1_29/10/2013_525223
However, the girl is unlikely to rejoin her poverty-stricken family if she is sent back to Bulgaria and would instead be placed in a crisis center or in foster care, the child protection agency said.
Child was never in Bulgaria to begin with. She was born in Greece. Doesn't it make her a Greek citizen?
She claims she handed the child off to someone she met on the street and whose name she didn't know. If that story is true, how is that any better than selling a child into a child adoption ring? Even with kittens and puppies, people are warned not to give them away for free to someone they don't know.
Child was never in Bulgaria to begin with. She was born in Greece. Doesn't it make her a Greek citizen?
Roma pair held for Maria's 'abduction' seek release from jail
http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite1_1_29/10/2013_525308
Bulgaria’s child protection agency said on Tuesday that it would seek Maria’s return even as Greece insists that its public prosecutor for minors will decide on the girl’s fate.
It's appears to be a tug-of-war at this time. jmo
Roma pair held for Maria's 'abduction' seek release from jail
http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite1_1_29/10/2013_525308
Bulgaria’s child protection agency said on Tuesday that it would seek Maria’s return even as Greece insists that its public prosecutor for minors will decide on the girl’s fate.
It's appears to be a tug-of-war at this time. jmo
No, a child born in Greece inherits its parents' citizenship. The child is not Greek simply by being born in Greece. The US is pretty much the only place in the world that still does that. If her parents are Bulgarian, then she is Bulgarian- at least in the eyes of Greek law. I know the Roma have their own "laws".
Roma pair held for Maria's 'abduction' seek release from jail
http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite1_1_29/10/2013_525308
Bulgarias child protection agency said on Tuesday that it would seek Marias return even as Greece insists that its public prosecutor for minors will decide on the girls fate.
It's appears to be a tug-of-war at this time. jmo