Emelyantsev’s Misunderstood?
We all know it is not the first time Russian adoptees have been “murdered at the hands of their adoptive parents” because it is always big news, especially in the adoption communities.
When adoptions go wrong they sometimes go very wrong because parents are just not prepared for the medical and emotional issues that come with international adoptees.
This time TheMoscowTimes.com has reported that 14-month-old Nikolai, adopted in February, died March 7, 2008, in Utah.
“An autopsy determined that the child had died from a skull fracture that doctors said was the result of blunt-force trauma, police and court records show. The infant also had a bruised face, head, knee and anus.”
Fyodor Emelyantsev, a Russian citizen, apparently has a Master’s Degree to work with disabled children and currently works at a nursing home in Tooele, Utah.
According to speculation on this site, the couple have a 10-year old daughter with Down Syndrome from Kimberly’s first marriage, a five year old, a two year old from Russia, and a four year old recently adopted from Russia who also has Down Syndrome.
Apparently, the four year old had been getting medical help since his arrival in the states and Nicoli was prone to seizures, a medical condition that could certainly cause head trauma.
Could this simply be a case of parents in over their head with Russian adoptees who have medical problems?
On a happy note, don’t forget that Spring Has Sprung over at My Two Boys…a Giveaway from Natural Pod.
I am close family of the Emelyantsev’s. They spent the last year going through Russian courts and procedures, spent a great deal of money, bought a bigger home, and worked to have Kim at home in order to make a home for these two boys. They wanted to give these children a chance for a good life where they would be nourished, loved, and cared for by all of us. They knew what they would be dealing with because they have a daughter with Down’s Syndrome. We are apalled by the fact that our justice system here has turned our heroes into another set of victims. They did not hurt these chldren and have been fighting to save them and bring them home. How can we not only misunderstand what’s happened and mourn the death of their beloved little boy, but destroy the family they have to. No wrong or harm was done. How can we call this justice? We stand in sick awe and helpless desperation.
I know what is it like to adopt a special needs child and to be in over my head. It is very hard to deal with a new child, to try to speak to them, to try to calm them, feed them, get them to sleep; to adopt a child thinking medical interventions will help and then they don’t.
I do hope that this is some misunderstanding and that they did not intentionally harm them. And by saying misunderstanding I mean that an accident of some sort happened or there were injuries left unattended from their orphanage stay that caused the death.
No one ever wants to see something like this happen or to be in a situation like this but I do hope that the truth is able to come out, no matter what it is.
I too am a member of this family. I do know that Kim and Fyoder are both loving and generous people. They went through so much to get these two precious boys home with their family, more than any of us will probably ever experience.
I do want to clarify a little of the information reported however. They do have a ten year old with Down’s Syndrome and two younger children both born to Kim and Fyoder. The only adopted children from Russia were the two boys.
The 4 year old came from Russia very malnourished and in horrible health. To clarify what is being reported, yes he was in the hospital multiple times, however it was the parents who took him to get the care that they knew he needed. The first day they arrived in Utah they took him to the hospital where they wanted to have him released. It was Kim that forced to hospital into admitting him. She refused to leave until they did.
They have done so much to help these boys and this was a horrible accident that unfortunately could happen to anyone. With that said, I ask for anyone reading this to have an open mind and don’t take everything that the media says to heart. There is more to every story than what you hear or read.
I’m just a stumbler who found this site. I have no first hand knowledge of foreign adoptions, but I have had some close observation with our criminal justice system and deem it completely barbaric. It is very easy for me to believe in the innocence of the parents. I certainly hope they are. It would lift up my faith in humanity.
No matter how you found the site, Scott, this posting is true. It is difficult to see our justice system assume that this was an abusive case and I hope that people are investigating this correctly. Social workers assume that if a child dies that it was an abuse case but often, as in cases of international adoptees, there are many other things that they need to look at.
I am certainly not saying that the parents are not innocent BUT shouldn’t they be given a chance?
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2008/04/04/008.html
A fabulous Dear Editor in the Moscow Times…
I would like to know if there are any updates to this story, preferably if it’s a family member!
Mrs. Emelyantsev pled guilty last month for murdering Luka.
Adopting two special needs children at the same time from an institution is a very bad idea.
E. Case has the facts way wrong. Kim Emelyantsev plead guilty to second degree negligent homicide, which is a far cry from murder. Pleading guilty doesn’t mean you are guilty, it often means that you would rather take a few years in prision compared to going there innocently for the rest of your life. She will be sentenced at the beginning of August and I hope there is mercy, because those who know her know she is innocent. Strangers can speculate all they want and get most of the facts wrong. It was Nikolai who passed on, not Luka. Luka is alive and well and getting healthier by the day and is doing great. The three girls are happy and healthy when I saw them last week.
Scott,
Just wanted to let you know that I addressed that in this post:
http://www.achildchosen.com/emelyantsev-pleads-guilty/
As we said in the beginning, this was an accident and Kim is innocent. Anybody who has dealt with our justice system, a prosecutor with a point to prove, or just has no money to defend themselves knows that sometimes people are put in a terrible position. Go to trial and risk spending most of your life in jail or take a plea because a child was hurt in your care and the law demands that some kind of restitution be paid. I have been made more aware of the ignorance of people making snap judgements and of the limited knowledge that the media twist into a story. My poor friend has been through so much. I am glad that the truth is out…she was innocent.
Rochelle, I thank you and in everything am agreeable with you.
I, too, stumbled across this site. However, I cannot believe the inhumanity on display here. E. Case is the only one here calling this what it is.
So some of you claim to know Ms. Emelyantsev. You say she’s a good person. SO? The neighbors of serial killers always say the same thing, too. You didn’t know her like you think you did; that much is transparently obvious.
Did any of you bother to help her out with those kids? No, you were too busy going around blathering on the Internet about what a hero she was. I think she could have used some heroes herself. Certainly Kolya could have.
One particularly benighted individual says the prosecutor had a “point” without saying what that point was (I think she has a point too, but if she wore a hat nobody would notice :-)). As a result I can’t figure out what she was implying. But I don’t need to. I know what the prosecutor’s point was … you can’t get frustrated with an infant (AN INFANT FOR GOD’S SAKE) and drop him on his head to show him who’s boss. That’s what she admitted to in open court at her plea hearing, and she wouldn’t have admitted to it IF SHE DIDN’T DO IT. You take a plea BECAUSE YOU KNOW YOU ARE GUILTY OF SOMETHING.
With supporters like these, it should be no surprise that Kimberly Emelyantsev thought she could do something and walk away (and probably adopt another child, I’ll bet). She literally thought she could get away with murder.
She’s the only one who’s guilty. But all you are RESPONSIBLE. You obviously weren’t there for Kolya; it is SICKENING that you would suddenly come out for his killer (who should be doing life, at least).
It’s sad to see that ignorance is still alive and well. Mr. Polreis has obviously had no experience with the legal system and clearly has no understanding of plea deals. This was ruled an accident. What a time of gratification this has been for those of us who know and love the whole family affected by this tragedy. You take a plea when you are told that this is the best way to conclude. When a child dies in the care of a parent, time served is required…accident or not.
DCFS is involved with the children. They have made it hell to even keep the kids in family care. Family has ALWAYS been involved in their lives. Kim and Fjoder were heroes, saving those boysfrom harm and starvation. Unfortunately, as I see in my practice at a Children’s Hospital, accidents happen on a daily basis. Yes, plenty end in death. And in some cases, like this one, the family is put through another battle for life after their child is gone.
Opinions are great, and they belong to you. Unsupported by knowledge, facts, or truth though that’s all they are. Ignorant opinions. May you and your families never have to endure the scathing tongues of stupid people in your life.
Rochelle, please, write to me
emelyantsevad@ngs.ru
Olga
I have no relation to this family, I just see this as a horrible accident and now this family is torn apart. How sad they have to go through this after mourning the loss of they’re baby. Is there any hope to help this family? How can I help?…tahoejana@hotmail.com
My son was adopted from Russia when he was 5 years old. He has never been accepted by the community even though every sport he’s been in kids have been nice but never invite him. He’s a senior in high school and same thing. When his teammates and parents find out he’s adopted, he’s never invited after the games. He’s good looking, fun and smart but he is quiet. He has poured his heart out to me and says he smiles at everyone but no luck. Has anyone else experienced this?
I am a russian native living in US for the past 10 yrs and a court interpreter. I have stumbled upon the cases of russian adopted children that died in US and am truly
saddened by the facts. Rochelle, if it was truly an accident, she should have fought the allegations. No doubt it is a terrible ordeal for everyone. Having a young child myself I cannot imagine what it must have been like to have
children with disabilities. I hope the other boy is doing fine .
Susan, what do you think is the prolem? I doubt it is the fact that he is adopted that holds your son back., unless it is a very prejudiced community.Does he have language/other issues?
Being an mimmigrant myself I know some stigma
attached but is there anything else ?