Tennessee woman who sent adopted child back to Russia wants court hearings closed

SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee woman who sent her adopted Russian child back to his home country is asking a judge in Bedford County to close court hearings on an adoption agency’s lawsuit seeking child support.

Judge Lee Russell is expected to rule at a Monday hearing in Shelbyville on the motion by an attorney for Torry Hansen to exclude the media.

Hansen was living in Shelbyville in April 2010 when she sent her then-7-year-old son on a plane to Moscow by himself with a note saying she didn’t want to be his mother anymore because he had psychological problems.

The resulting uproar led to the countries agreeing to increase oversight of adopting families.

The World Association for Children and Parents is seeking child support. A trial is set for January.