HOUSTON (AP) - Texas licensing officials are investigating a North Texas adoption agency that handled a West Texas couple's adoption of a 3-year-old Russian boy.
The Houston Chronicle (http://bit.ly/XCuoNk) reports the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services is investigating the Fort Worth-based Gladney Center for Adoption. Department spokesman Patrick Crimmins said the agency is investigating whether Gladney screened Max Shatto's adoptive parents properly.
Gladney spokeswoman Jennifer Lanter declined to comment, saying state law prohibits any adoption agency from confirming or denying any information relating to a family or an adoptee.
The child died at Medical Center Hospital of Odessa on Jan. 21. Russian authorities have alleged that the child died of abuse, but no charges have been filed and authorities have yet to release findings of an autopsy on the child.
Information from: Houston Chronicle, http://www.houstonchronicle.com
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