STATE CITES AGENCY USED IN ADOPTION

Akron Beacon Journal (OH)

VIOLATIONS ARE FOUND DURING INVESTIGATION OF FAMILY'S ACCUSATIONS

Author: Rick Armon, Beacon Journal staff writer

A local adoption agency accused of urging a teen mother to run away from home last year has been cited by the state for several violations regarding the adoption process and its state license will be reviewed, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services said Friday.

The state began investigating A Child's Waiting in Copley Township in December after a Canton couple claimed that the agency told their 17-year-old daughter to run away so it would be easier to give up her then-4-month-old child without her parents' interference.

State investigators concluded that there was no evidence that Stephanie Bennett was asked to leave home. But the agency was cited for numerous procedural and paperwork violations that could jeopardize its license because it has a history of similar citations, state records show.

The agency also failed to submit acceptable plans detailing how it would make sure the violations don't occur again, the state said.

State spokesman Dennis Evans said he didn't know when the license review would begin. The agency's license could be reduced to "temporary" status, revoked or left alone, he said.

A telephone message seeking comment was left with the agency.

Without her parents' knowledge, Stephanie Bennett signed papers in September giving custody of her daughter to A Child's Waiting. It is legal in Ohio for a minor to give up a child without parental permission.

Stephanie ran away from home and handed over the baby while she was staying in Carroll County. She now says she regrets the decision and has accused the agency of not providing adequate counseling. She is fighting in court to regain custody.

It's unclear how the state investigation may affect the custody case. A message seeking comment was left with Stephanie's attorney.

According to state investigative reports, Stephanie accused her parents of abusing her and her child and said that was why she decided to put Evelyn up for adoption. The allegation of abuse had not been made public before.

Stephanie's mother, Judy Bennett, said Friday that local investigators looked into the accusation and concluded it was untrue.

She contended the baby's father -- who has not been identified publicly -- threatened Stephanie and ordered her to get rid of the child. Despite the conclusion of state investigators, Judy Bennett said she still believes the agency told her daughter to run away.

A Child's Waiting was founded in January 2000 and has handled about 1,200 adoptions since then, according to the agency's Web site.

The agency has been cited seven times previously for violations because of complaints, and its license has been reduced to "temporary" twice because of previous problems, according to state records.

Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com