North Carolina agency speaks on adoption screening and fostering process

GASTONIA, N.C. (WBTV) – Proper now, an alleged crime surrounding a Gastonia adoptive father is drawing up plenty of questions in regards to the adoption and foster care screening processes.

WBTV was there as Van Erick Custodio made his first court docket look yesterday on homicide fees.

Police say the previous UNC Charlotte and Belmont Abbey professor abused a 6-week-old child, who later died.

In Custodio’s quiet Gastonia neighborhood, folks say they see plenty of youngsters, however they didn’t see a lot of Custodio and his spouse or their adopted youngsters, however they donated to assist him undertake one among them.

“We’re right here to speak about our story to see if we will get assist to match our subsequent adoption,” Custodio stated in a video along with his household that was posted on-line.

He appeared completely happy.

A drastic distinction from the previous faculty professor right now, charged with homicide within the loss of life of his 6-week-old adopted son.

“Sadly, there’s not a metric, an evaluation, an analytical instrument that can say hey this individual goes to harm a baby,” Government Director of Seven Houses adoption and foster care company Ken Maxwell stated.

Maxwell additionally stated, although, there’s an intensive screening course of for potential dad and mom.

First a caseworker goes to the house and will get to know the household.

Then, there’s a two-and-a-half month course of of coaching with a purpose to be licensed as a foster household.

“In that assembly as soon as per week for 3 hours, they’re additionally getting the hearth inspection of their dwelling, getting their environmental inspection, they’re doing their felony background checks,” Maxwell stated.

They meet with {couples} collectively and as a pair with any youngsters.

The method can take anyplace from 4 to 6 months.

“The state wants extra foster dad and mom, so there’s extra number of households for Division of Social Providers to select from, in order that we will match wants of the kid with the strengths of the household,” he stated.

Maxwell says, when the variety of youngsters in foster care outnumber the variety of foster care dad and mom, it may be tougher to get the precise placement.

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