The National Adoption Council of Guatemala, the central committee responsible for handling adoption in Guatemala since the previous adoption system was shut down in 2007, is initiating a pilot program for intercountry adoption. This pilot program will include only four countries, but which countries has yet to be announced.

The JCICS (Joint Council of International Children’s Services) has verified that the U.S. Department of State has submitted a letter of interest to the Guatemalan government regarding participation in this pilot program. Seven other countries wrote a letter of interest as well.

The JCICS also made it very clear that this does not mean that adoption is reopening. The JCICS also reported that:

1. Potential adoptive parents may initiate a Hague adoption by submitting an I-800A with the National Benefits Center for a Guatemalan adoption, but this application cannot be processed through to a completed adoption. Guatemala is still not compliant with the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption.

2. The Government of Guatemala has not published a time-line for country selection nor initiation of the pilot program.

3. The Government of Guatemala has not provided assurances that the pilot program will actually be initiated.

4. The Government of Guatemala has not published the criteria by which they intend to accredit foreign adoption service providers. Based on the announcement published on the Guatemalan Central Authority’s website, only one (1) adoption service provider will be selected per country for participation in the pilot program.

Earlier this week in Cairo, anEgyptian judge convicted two American couples of human trafficking in illegal adoptions. The Americans were sentenced to two years in prison. Some feel that the murky legislation on child adoption in this predominantly Muslim country contributed to the illegal adoption. Besides prison time, each must pay $18,153 in fines. The U.S. Embassy in Cairo had become suspicious of the couples earlier this year when they tried to remove their children from Egypt. The arrest took place in December and the trial was held in May on the charges of forgery and child trafficking.

Hi everyone, I am Harry Panagopoulos, the adoptive father of Olivia. I thank you all for participating in this Blog. If any of you need any more FACTS about this case, I will be happy to provide you with all the information. What happened was truly WRONG. When they said it was because of our health, both my wife and I, went to all the appropriate specialists and where given a clean bill of health. Florida ICPC only requested an updated FBI clearance and that's it. This was the ONLY reason we gave them Olivia back. WE are just so tired and drained from this whole nightmare that we just hope and pray that Olivia is in good hands. We have not gotten our money back and we need it in order to pursue getting another child and move forward in our lives.

Harry and Chene Panagopoulos had been working with ASCS of Florida for over 12 months on adopting a Caucasian infant. At our first point of contact we filed in a 97 page questionnaire and at that time, a home study was required and we got that done and submitted it to ASCS they received our home study on April 20th 2008. On Friday April 17th 2009 we received an email stating that there was a potential baby that was due November 20th 2009 and if ASCS could send our profile, of course we said yes.

On Monday April 20th 2009 we received a phone call, stating that they have another baby that had just been born and was tested positive for Methamphetamine (birthmother positive for Methamphetamine and Opiates), and if she can present our profile to the birthmother. We agreed as we own a clinic that provides services to children with special needs. At 6:30 pm we received a phone call stating that the birthmother chose us and we can come to get our baby immediately. We drove all night to Florida, to get our child. On April 21st 2009, we met with ASCS (Stacia Hammond) to pick up our baby Olivia Hannah (the name we chose for her).

Gosh dear readers, I am actually feeling a little guilty. It's true though, I won the May weighted blanket contest that Faith told you all about in a blog sponsored by Dream Catchers Weighted Blankets. From over 300 entries, my entry was selected at random. Wow, now that is impressive. But do not lose heart dear readers. Eileen, over at Dream Catchers has announced that there will be another custom weighted blanket giveaway in June, because the May contest was so popular. I will attest to the fact that she is really giving away a custom blanket of your choice. I suggested that she just send us a premade, but she insisted that I look through the fabrics and pick out something special.