KTNV ABC,Channel 13,Las Vegas,Nevada,News,Weather,Sports,Entertainment,KTNV.com,Action News .:. Locals discouraged; adoptions in Haiti at a stand still

Locals discouraged; adoptions in Haiti at a stand still

Las Vegas, NV- With nearly 400,000 orphans in Haiti prior to the 7.0 earthquake, that number is believed to be far greater now. Thousands across the U.S., many of them right here in town, have been flocking to adoption agencies, all hoping to offer these children a new life, but only to realize that major challenges lie ahead of this process.

The devastating images of children roaming around Haiti has left many wondering who will take care of them. Judith Wax knows all about the emotional roller coaster that adoptions can be.    She wanted a big family but her husband died when she was pregnant with their only son. Yet her dreams of having more children didn't end there; so she adopted Ellie through a local agency.       

"I started screaming...it's a girl..we have a girl," said Wax.  

But after the deadly quake in Haiti, Judith was overwhelmed with emotions. Just thinking about the thousands of kids who were left without parents.

"Knowing I have the means to do this; give them a house, love and a family that can take in those kids who need us," she added.

She called the Haitian consulate but they had no information on adoptions.   So she reached out to other organizations and finally got some answers. Though not the kind she wanted to hear. It turns out that new applications aren't be accepted. The government is focusing on those who were already in the process of being adopted and also has the daunting task of trying to figure out who really is an orphan.

"Many of these kids who've lost one or both parents; they might have relatives who need to be reached as see if they are willing to take the child as well," said Catharine Murray, executive director of premier adoption services.

Murray says they've have been flooded with calls from people wanting to adopt children from Haiti. But because of the massive delays they encourage families to consider adopting children from other countries.

It could take well over a year for a new adoption to be finalized and actually have the child brought to the U.S. from Haiti.   In the meantime premier adoption says it's compiling a list of people who would like to adopt at asacredmission.gmail.com. They also recommend that families be patient while the Haitian and U.S. Government establish a system to determine the orphan status of the children.