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Russia Investigating Alleged Abuse Of Adopted Siblings

Updated

Aleksei Klimov (also known as Zachariah Deckert) is pictured at left. His whereabouts is unknown.
Aleksei Klimov (also known as Zachariah Deckert) is pictured at left. His whereabouts is unknown.
Russia’s Investigative Committee says it's starting its own probe into allegations that three Russian-born siblings were subjected to abuse by their adoptive American parents.

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services confirmed to RFE/RL that two teenage girls were removed from their adoptive parents' home and placed in foster care on March 21 amid accusations of violence and sexual abuse.

Protective Services also said that Russian officials had been sent to Texas's Hardin County.

The girls' adoptive mother has denied the allegations.

A court hearing is set for April 16.

Russian officials say Michael and Penny Deckert adopted Aleksei, Anastasia, and Svetlana Klimov from a Russian orphanage in 2003.

Aleksei, now named Zachariah, left his adoptive family last year and his whereabouts is unknown.

The January death of an adopted Russian boy in Texas caused outrage in Russia.

In December, Russia banned all U.S. adoptions in retaliation for U.S. legislation targeting alleged Russian rights violators.

Based on reporting by Rapsinews.com, RT, Interfax, and RFE/RL

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

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